64 Journal of Agriculturi, Victoria. [10 Jan., 1912, 



Pests and Spraying. 



If woolly aphis is at all existent, a spraying with a strong nicotine 

 solution will reduce it considerably. A paint, the basis of which is any of 

 the petroleum oils, or one of the miscible oil preparations now on the 

 market, will be useful where this pest is not very frequent. The method is 

 to mix the oil with lime, or sulphur, potash, or some other crude chemical 

 of an insecticidal value, and to paint the parts attacked with a good strong^ 

 brush. 



The sulphur-potash remedy has been previously mentioned in these 

 notes, and it is especially effective in not only killing out the pest where- 

 ever applied, but also iri rendering that particular spot obnoxious to any 

 other aphides that may come along later. It is made by dissolving 2lbs. 

 sulphate of potash in | gallon of water and then mixing with 2 lbs. of 

 sulphur. The whole is worked up to the consistency of house paint with 

 linseed oil. It is applied to the affected parts with a brush. 



Codlin moth spraying will still require to be carried on. All affected 

 apples should be gathered and destroyed. None should be allowed to 

 remain on the trees or on the ground. As soon as the workings or marks 

 of the insect are observed, the fruit should be gathered and destroyed. If 

 the fruits are left, there is always the danger of the larvae escaping to a 

 crevice or hiding place and so continuing the loss. 



Cherry and pear trees may be sprayed with arsenate of lead wherever 

 the slug is present ; vines may be sprayed similarly wherever the vine 

 moth caterpillars are found. 



Budding. 



January and February are the suitable months for budding. In 

 budding, it is necessary that the bark shall run or open freely ; and, to 

 do this, the ti1ee must have a good sap flow at the time of performing the 

 operation. If such does not occur, the trees to be worked, or the stocks, 

 should be given a good watering, and the budding deferred for a day or 

 two. Full instructions for budding were given in Mr. Cole's articles on 

 the Propagation of Fruit Trees in the September and October, 191 1, 

 Jourtials. 



Summer Pruning. 



In January and February, trees that require it may be summer- 

 pruned. In performing this work, care should be observed that as much 

 of the leafalge as possible is retained on the trees. 



Unduly long laterals of fruiting trees may l>e shortened back, always 

 cutting to a leaf. Unnecessary terminal leader growths, of which there 

 are sometimes three or four, all strong growing, may be reduced to one; 

 retaining this one as a leadei^ In no case should this growth be cut or 

 interfered with in any wa\'. 



The result of these cuts will be to divert the sap which was flowing 

 into growths that would subsequently be pruned, into more profitable 

 channels, so that weak buds and growths may be strengthened, and 

 induced into fruit beariiig. 



Vegetable Garden. 



The \'egetable section should be kept in good condition by alternate 

 cultivation and watering. A good surface scarifying with the Planet Jr., 

 or with a hoe, should be given when the soil has well settled afteri eadi 

 watering. This will keep the soil in good condition, and the crops in good 

 growth. Where crops are growing, an occasional overhead watering will 

 be beneficial .; it w ill clean and invigorate the leaves. 



