lo May, 1909.] Orchard N otes. 331 



supported by the fact that the most successful orchardists at Doncaster, 

 Diamond Cxeek, and other districts where the conditions require a fair 

 amount of stable manure, find it far more profitable to buy and cart manure 

 than attempt to make it. 



The most efficient substitute for stable manure is a leguminous crop 

 ploughed into the soil early in spring before severe evaporation begins. 

 The crop generally cultivated for the purpose is the field pea. The plan 

 of cultivation for the complete fertilization of fruit-growing land which is 

 now generally adopted in districts in Victoria remote from a supply of 

 farmyard manure is as follows : — The ground is broken up after the crop 

 of fruit is gathered, and cultivated to form a good seed bed. Peas are 

 sown, in drills or broadcast, with superphosphate at the rate of 2 cwt. 

 per acre. In some cases sulphate of potash, at rate of i cwt. per acre, 

 is added after the peas are sown, and lightly harrowed in, it being accepted 

 that a supply of this manure is necessary, especially in light soils. In 

 early spring, the crop of peas is ploughed in and the soil well cultivated 

 to produce a level well pulverized surface. By the means stated vegetable 

 matter, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, are added to the soil, thus 

 furnishing the most important fertilizing substances, and improving, bv 

 means of the vegetable matter, the physical condition of the soil. 



The application of lime to orchard land is often a matter of urgency. 

 In addition to its being a plant food, lime is most important as a corrective 

 of acidity. In heavy soils well supplied with humus and fairly drained 

 and cultivated, fruit trees often fail to thrive, owing to a deficiency of 

 lime. Rather frequent and light applications are preferable to the old 

 plan of a heavy dressing about every five years. From 3 to 5 cwt. per 

 acre is a fair dressing for rich land deficient in lime. It should be 

 applied in winter after the soil is ploughed and be harrowed in, a freshly 

 slaked and finely pulverized sample being most effective. 



An easy method of ascertaining whether one's land contains too great 

 a degree of acidity, is to place a piece of ordinary blue litmus paper on a 

 sample of moist soil ; if the paper rapidly turns a vivid pink, it may safely 

 be assumed that the land requires a dres.sing of lime. If the change of 

 colour is effected slowly, it is an indication that, while lime is needed, a 

 light dressing will suffice. Small books of blue litmus paper may be pro- 

 cured from any chemist. 



Where it is intended to plant new orchards, or extend old plantations, 

 the soil should be thoroughly prepared before the planting season arrives, 

 by deeply ploughing and cultivating. In very poor soils, manure should 

 be added, principally with a view to moisture conservation during the 

 growing season. Intending planters should carefully read the excellent 

 article which appeared in the July 1908 issue of this Journal on the 

 subject of " Raising an Export Apple Orchard" from the pen of Mr. 

 P. J. Carmody, Chief Inspector of Vegetation Diseases. 



Two very common and destructi\e pests are the Woollv Aphis or 

 American blight, and the Bryohia mite, commonly known as red spider. 

 The best time to attack these pests is during the dormant season. Woolly 

 aphis should not be allowed a moment's rest. It will probably require 

 two thorough sprayings to eradicate it. Red oil or crude petroleum 

 emulsions are effective against both aphis and mite. Prune affected trees 

 early and spray thoroughly. If any survive, spray again about August. 



