Journal of Agriculture. [lo AuG.^ 1908. 



unprofitable mav be headed well back; if the roots are healthy, a strong 

 and vigorous growth will take place, and thus renew the life of the tree 

 for many years, or a different ^■arietv ma\ be grafted on, if desired. 



During the past dry summer fruit trees ha^e suffered a good deal from 

 the ravages of the red spider ; this little pest seems to revel in the con- 

 drcions which prevailed. Most trees showed the effects of the myriads 

 of insects sucking at the leaves, causing them to turn a sickly pale yellow, 

 and fall prematurely. The pest has now taken up its winter quarters on 

 the under side of tjie fruit spurs and small branches, where it shows a 

 dull brick-red colour, and unless dislodged and destroyed it will very 

 materially affect next season's crop of fruit. The best remedies to destroy 

 this pest are emulsions of kerosene, red oil, or crude ipetroleum, all being 

 equally effective. 



The method of preparing the emulsion is as follows : — Put two gallons 

 of water in a boiler with 2 lbs. soap, let the water boil, and then pour 

 it into a small bucket spray pump, with two gallons of oil ; pump quicklv 

 with the nozzle turned into the bucket for a few minutes and a complete 

 emulsion is formed. This can now be diluted to any strength required 

 —one part of the emulsion to twenty of water is the strength generallv 

 used. Many growers put the two gallons of oil into the boiling soapy 

 water and -stir quickly for a few minutes ; by adopting this method of 

 preparation, there is always the danger, through a complete emulsion not 

 having been formed, of any free oil floating to the top, when allowed to 

 stand for a short time. When put through the spray pump, this free 

 oil is the last to be sprayed, and causes great damage to the trees, some- 

 times killing them outright. It is therefore much better and safer in 

 making the emulsion, to use a .small force pump for the purpose. 

 When it gets cold, a properly made emulsion forms a jelly without a trace 

 of oil, and can be used at any time during winter without danger to the 

 trees. 



These sprays are also effective in destroying the mussel and San Jose 

 scales. They are more effective when a good pressure is maintained in 

 working the pump, as the spray strikes the tree with considerable force, 

 and penetrates all the crevices and inequalities of the bark where the pests 

 are harboring. 



Apple trees affected with the woolly aijhis should bti gone o\er. and 

 the affected parts dressed with the potash and sulphur remedy given in 

 the Februarv 1907 number of the Journal. Black aphis on the peach 

 trees will also require attention ; the old remedy, soft soap and tobacco, 

 or kerosene emulsion, will prove effective in destroying this pest. The 

 trees require frequent spraving to keep the aphis in check. 



It is surprising how few orchardists grow table grapes, even for their 

 own use. There is nothing more refreshing in the summer time than a 

 bunch of grapes, and everv orchard should contain a small plot. The 

 best varieties to grow are specified in the following lists: — 



Cold Districts. 

 White. — Earlv White Malvasia, Golden Chasselas, Sweetwater. 

 Black. — Blue Imperial, Black Hamburgh, Muscat Hamburgh. 



Warm Districts. 



White. — Golden Chasselas, Caracosa, White Morillon, Raisin des 

 Dames, Waltham Cross, Centennial, Doradilla, Muscat of Ale.xandria. 



Black. — Black Hamburgh, Muscat Hamburgh, Red Prince, Mammoth, 

 Gros Colman, Madresfield Court Black Muscat, Wortlev Hall. 



