10 Nov., 1916.] Orchard and Garden Notes. 701 



Report. 



The past month has been very trying for the birds, chiefly on account 

 of the extremely heavy rainfall. For many days in succession heavy 

 rain fell almost incessantly. 



Broodies were very numerous during the month, up to 45 in one 

 week. 



The results may be considered satisfactory, in view of the unprece- 

 dented conditions, and with better weather the birds are now scoring 

 well. 



Rainfall, 824 points. 



Temperatures: Lowest, 44 deg. Fahr. ; highest, 78 deg. Fahr. 



Department of Agriculture, 

 Melbourne, Victoria. 



A. HART, 



Chief Poultry Expert. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Fescotf, F.L.S., PrinripaJ, School of Horticulture, Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



SPR4.yiNG. 



The spray pump should now be in thorough working order, so that 

 the various spring sprayings may be carried out with as little interrup- 

 tion as possible. It is always wise to clean out the pump after each 

 spraying, so that it will be ready for the next mixture. Putting a 

 different spray in a pump barrel tliat has not been washed out very often 

 causes the formation of a sediment, which blocks the nozzle and inter- 

 rupts the work. 



During November it will be necessary to spray for codlin moth, 

 peach aphis, pear slug, and various leaf -eating insects. In addition, 

 black spot of the apple and pear, shot hole, and other fungus diseases 

 must be kept in check. Various sprays are required for all of these 

 troubles, and the necessity of always having a clean pump will thus be 

 admitted. 



At the present time the wisest spray for peach aphis will lie strong 

 tobacco solution, and the same spray may also be used for the pear slug. 

 Arsenate of lead is the l^etter spray for this insect, but it should not be 

 used when the fruit is ap])roaching the ripening stage; hellebore may 

 also be used for the slug with good effect. 



As a preventive against codlin moth, the trees should be kept well 

 sprayed with arsenate of lead. If the sjiraying is careful and thorough, 

 no bandaging need be carried out. Tlie time spent in bandaging will be far 

 better employed in an extra spraying. The first spraying should have been 

 given at tiie time of the falling of the i)etals; the second spraying, owing 

 to the rapid expansion of the fruit, should be given a fortnight later. 

 After that the grower must use his own judgment as to the necessity 

 for subsequent sprayings. If the moths be at all prevalent, other spray- 

 ings will be quickly necessary. 



