10 July, 1919. | Orchard and Garden Notes. 445 



graded surfaces wliicih allow a more equitable distribution of water. 

 Surface draining is usually applied ito a system, wbereby a considerable 

 quantity of water is removed by gravitation before it enters the soil. 

 Suoh a system cannot be too roundly condemned. As much water as 

 oan be obtained by natural means sihould be induced to enter orchard 

 soils; land tjhen whatever is in exoeiss will be carried laway by under 

 drainage, proTided that drainage, either natural or artificial, be in 

 existence. 



Where suitable drainage is not provided, the tree roots a,re com- 

 pelled to remain in a few inches of surface soil. Their feeding area is 

 thus extremely limited indeed ; and when, at any time, rain-water does 

 filter and penetrate througih the soil, it carries with it the soluble and 

 other rplant foods, below :the reach of tibe. itree roots. 



Soil ventilation is only possible with a system of drainage, and air 

 is as necessary to t'he rooits of a tree as it is to the foli'a,ge. By the 

 removal of the surplus water and the consequent admission of air into 

 the soil, the soil tem]")6rature is rendered fiar more equable, warmer in 

 winter and spring, and eooler in summer; and such a change must be 

 benefieial to t!he trees. 



Drainage is thus an essential for all prchard lands. When natural 

 drainage occurs, the orchardist is foi^tunate; but whether natural or 

 artificial, a system of drainage will always materially increase the 

 cro]) of ifniit, strengthen the trees, and considerably add to their term 

 of life. 



Drainage schemes should be carried out at the present season of 

 tihe year. In closed drains, such drainage media as cinders, chareoal, 

 stones, brushwood, timber, logs, ox tile pipes may be used, but the 

 latter generally give moi'e satisfactory and pemnanent reisults. They 

 are also less liable to silting up than any other material. 



Drains should be placed into the day, if this be not too deep. In 

 any case, they should be below any possible interference from cultivat- 

 ing instruments. 



iSpbaying. 



In order to keep in check such pests as Bryobia, scale insects, 

 woolly aphis, and others, a strong and forcible spraying with lime 

 sulphur or red oil spray should not be delayed any longer. The Whole 

 tree sihould be thoroughly wetted with the spray. A good, vigorous, 

 and thorough winter spraying will iplaoe a large majority of the trees 

 in quite a satisfactory condition of freedom from these pests for the 

 whole year. 



The lime sulphur spray is an excellent fungicide, and a strong 

 winter .spray will go a very long way in reducing any attack of the 

 black spot fungus on eitlher the apple or the pear. In addition, if the 

 peacih trees are sprayed at 'tihis time with lime sulphur, both peach 

 aphis and peach leaf curl will be considerably minimised in the spring 

 time. 



Flower Garden. 



Digging in the garden should bo continued. Before digging, the 

 beds should be given a top dressing of lime or stable nuanure, and sub- 

 sequently these should be dug well into the soil. Care must be taken 



