II April, 1910-] Orchard and Garden Notes. 215 



plants were making good headway, the whole of the space between the rows 

 being covered with the runners, and the crop had set well. It, however, 

 was not nearly matured, the vines being green throughout, and not more 

 than 10 per cent, of the pumpkins had reached their full weight. Several 

 of those that were ripening would run to 60 lbs., and the crop, when seen, 

 would yield about 7j tons to the acre. 



Mr. Kirkham's crop was not so favourably located, being on lighter 

 ground, and on a small rise. It was in three paddocks. The best portion 

 of the maize crop was about 2^ acres near the dwelling on the top of the 

 rise. This averaged about 6 feet high, and was estimated to cut 8 tons 

 3 cwt. of green fodder. It was in rows three feet apart, and kept clean ; 

 but the seed had been sown too thickly, and the crop was beginning to dry 

 off. The rest of the maize was in a paddock on the slope of the rise. This 

 had been sown late. It was in drills 18 inches apart; and it had also been 

 too thickly seeded, there being about 80 per cent, more plants on the ground 

 than could be expected to properly mature ; also, being closely drilled, it 

 could not be horse-hoed, and much of it was drying off at less than 18 inches 

 high. 



The pumpkins on this farm had been sown rather late. They appeared 

 to have made good headway, and a lot of fruit had set; but the majority 

 of it was so small that unless extra favourable weather ensued within the 

 next few weeks, the yield would be verv light. At its jiresent stage it 

 would run about ij- tons to the acre. 



This is a good maize-growing district ; and, as some very fair crops were 

 seen on other farms, the competition should have been greater. Pumpkins, 

 however, while a good vielding crop in some places, do not find favour 

 with every farmer, and they do not suit every locality so universally as 

 maize. I therefore would suggest that, in future competitions in this dis- 

 trict, the crops be kept separate, and prizes be awarded for each, or for 

 whichever may be considered the more important. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



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



The Orchard. 



Fruit. 



With the exception of the very late varieties, all fruit has been now 

 gathered, and the fruit rooms and stores are all filled with the produce 

 of the orchard. The fruit room should be well ventilated and aired; but 

 all direct currents of air should be avoided, as these will certainly shrivel 

 and dry the fruit. The store room should also be kept as cool as pos- 

 sible. Everv care should be taken to keep out of the store room all fruit 

 infested with anv pest or disease. Such fruits should be_ immediately 

 destroved, preferablv by being cooked for animal consumption. 



The fruit rooms this' year will need very close attention, and a lookout 

 kept for the development of bitter pit. The season's climatic conditions 

 have been so variable, that, if the irregular flow of sap be the cause of 

 this ■ undesirable condition, then bitter pit will be very prevalent. As a 

 matter of fact, this disease is more than common in some districts just 

 now, probablv owing to the alternating changes of heat and cold. 



