508 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 Aug., 1919. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



(E. E. Pescott, F.L.S., I'nmologist.) 



The Orchard. 



If the winter spraying has been delayed, it should be completed as 

 quickly as possible, and before the buds begin to swell and burst. 



It is not advisable to spray the stone fruits with the red oil emulsion 

 at this time, as there is danger of burning and destroying the early 

 buds that may be swelling, and consequently loosen their outside scales 

 It wiP be safe, if the work be done at once, to spray apple, pear and 

 quince trees with this spray, especially where the E'yrobia Mite, scale 

 insects, or woolly aphis are prevalent. 



If it is intended that the lime-sulphur wash be the specific for these 

 and other pests, it may be used with safety, although the spraying 

 should be completed as early as possible. 



That the lime sulphur is valuable as a specific against ' ' Black Spot ' ' of 

 the apple was shown in the report of the experiments in the Journal of 

 Agriculture for August, 1918. The first spriiy should be given when the 

 flower buds are more green than pink; and ihe second spray, when the 

 centre flowers of the blossom cluster are pretty open. 



The same report showed that a spray of 6.8.40 of copper-soda, sprayed 

 when the earliest buds were showing; pink, was a complete success against 

 •the " leaf curl " of the peach. 



Where peach aphis has appeared, it will be advisable to spray at 

 once with a strong nicotine solution. Tobacco stems should be soaked 

 in cold water for some days, and a teaspoonful of caustic soda added to a 

 cask of steeping stems. The liquid should be made strong, and everv 

 endeavour made to kill out the first insects that appear. 



The pruning of deciduous trees should be at an end this month 

 The pruning of evergreens such as oranges, lemons, and guavas, may be 

 left until later. 



Young deciduous trees must be planted not later than this month. 

 The soil should be trodden firm round the roots, and, when planting 

 has been completed, the tree ought to be headed back to three or four 

 buds on each arm. 



Preparation may be made for planting citrus and other evergreen 

 trees. It is necessary that the soil be well ploughed and sweetened in 

 anticipation of planting in September and October. 



In root-borer affected districts, the beetles will begin to appear 

 during the latter part of the inonth. A close observance should be 

 kept on them and the insects regularly collected and destroyed. 



