£o Nov., 1909.] Orchard Notes. 723 



ORCHARD NOTES. 



E. E. Pescott, Principal, School of Horticulture, Burnley. 



Keep the soil surface well stirred. 



Spray for Codlin Moth, Pear Slug, Peach Aphis, and Koot Borer. 



Examine graft ties ; rub off unnecessary shoots on young ti'ees. 



The various cultivating implements and the spray pump should be very 

 much in evidence during the month. Bountiful rains during the past 

 winter have thoroughly soaked the subsoil, and there should be an ample 

 supply of moisture for the sustenance of the trees, and for the production 

 of fruit, pro\'ided it be properly conserved. This can only be done by 

 keeping the soil surface in as fine a condition as possible; and it should 

 be remembered that to keep the soil in a good tilth is the first and main 

 condition for successful results. No' matter how good or how rich a soil 

 may be, if the surface is not well stirred, and well earth-mulched, the 

 moisture evaporates from the soil, and the tree is not able to take advantage 

 of its fertility. 



Where hay crops have been grown amongst trees^ — and this is a very 

 harmful practice (except on deep, rich, and moist alluvial soils) ov/ing to 

 the large amount of moisture removed by the crop — the ground should be 

 well ploughed and harrowed immediately after the crop has been taken off, 

 SD as to conserve what moisture has been left in the soil. 



Codlin Moth spraying should now be in full swing. The advice given 

 in last month's "Notes" should be read and followed very carefully. 

 The lessons of last season should be remembered ; and apple and pear 

 growers should make up their minds to carry on the spraying right through 

 the season, so as to insure against a possible severe attack by late broods. 

 The first capture of a Codlin Moth recorded last season in the Southern 

 districts was reported from Diamond Creek on i6th October. At Harcourt, 

 the first moth was caught on loth October. At the Burnlev Gardens the 

 first eggs for this season were observed on 20th October. Frequent spray- 

 ings will be necessary at the present time, as owing to the expansion of 

 the growing fruit, this is the onlv means of insurance against loss. Arsenate 

 of lead is now the recognised spray for Codlin Moth, and this is procurable 

 under many different brands. 



Arsenate of lead mav also be used against the Pear and Cherrv Slug, 

 care being taken that it is not sprayed on when the ripening season is 

 approaching — hellebore should then be used. Tobacco solutions are also 

 very effective, but should be used with caution, as the nicotine mav taint 

 the fruit, should it be far advanced. The Pear and Cherry Slug does 

 far more damage than is generally under.stood. The foliage of the trees 

 being largely, if not altogether destroyed by its attacks, there are no 

 means for the elaboration of the sap, which is so necessary to the buildii>g 

 up of the fruit buds for the next season. The bark is also exposed to the 

 direct rays of the sun, and thus sun-scald, over-heated sap, gumming, and 

 various other undesirable conditions are induced. 



It trees have not alreadv been spraved for Woolly Aphis, Red Spider 

 {Brvobia), and Peach Aphis, the tobacco or other nicotine solutions should 

 be used without delay. For light attacks of Woolly Aphis, the sulphur- 

 potash paint may be used, and it will give excellent results. The formuk 

 for this paint was given in the February, 1907, number of the Journal, 

 and it may be repeated for the benefit of those who wish to trv it. Dissolve 

 2 lbs. sulphate of potash in \ gallon of water, and then mix in 2 lbs. of 

 sulphur. When a thorough mixture is formed, ndd sufficient raw linseed 



