11 Dec, 1916.] Orchard and Garde.a Notes. 765 



Report. 



The weather conditions for the past month have been very bad for 

 egg production, being especially severe on birds in open yards. All 

 houses have been disinfected and supplied Avith clean straw during the 

 month, with a view to additional comfort fcr the bii'ds. The egg yield 

 is somewhat lower than for the corresponding term last year, which is 

 to be expected. Broodies have been plentiful lately, the Leghorns 

 transgressing in this respect, being more numerous than usual. Rainfall 

 for month 355 points. Temperature, lowest, 43 deg. Fahr. ; highest, 

 78 deg. Fahr. 



A. HART, 

 Chief Poultry Expert. 

 Department of Agriculture, 



Melbourne, Victoria. 



OROUARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Pescott. F.L.S., Principal, School of Horticulture, Burnley. 



The Orchard. 



As a preventive against codlin moth, apple and pear trees should be 

 sprayed with arsenate of lead whenever there is danger from the 

 prevalence of the moth. One of the secrets of success in codlin moth 

 spraying is tlie destruction of as many as possible of the insects of the 

 first brood. Thus, if particular care is given to the early sprayings, 

 keeping the fruit covered with spray for a month or six weeks after 

 setting, this result is easily accomplished. Some growers prefer to 

 gather all fruit infected by the first brood, spraying only for the second 

 and later broods. Even if all the fruits attacked are gathered, which 

 very rarely happens, the grower suffers from the loss of fruit, Avliich he 

 can ill afford, unless his crop be a heavy one. 



Another feature for consideration is the fact that the presence of 

 any arsenical s])ray on the foliage is responsible for the destruction of 

 the pear and clierry slug, root-borer beetle, and all forms of leaf-eating 

 insects. 



Spraying the cherries for the slug will now be necessary. Arsenate 

 of lead may be used, provided the fruit is not far advanced. Hellebore, 

 and also tobacco water, are effective against this pest. 



Cultivation. 



All orchard soils should be kejit well worked during the sununer 

 months. It is very essential that the trees should have an abundant 

 supply of moisture during the wliole of the growing season. The 

 incessant rains that have fallen during the past months have given the 

 subsoil a splendid soaking, which will benefit the trees considerably, and 

 althougii the rain has very consiilrrably interfered with the seitting of 



