26o Journal of Agriculture . Victoria. [lo April, 1912. 



OIlOHAllD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Pcscott, Principal. Horticultural ScJiool. Burulcy. 



The Orchard. 



The exceptionally dry season has ht^en ruie of the causes in reducing- 

 the fruit crop to a large extent. Large quantities of fruit have not fully 

 developed ; and many varieties, notably the London Pippin, have been 

 badly affected with the so-far mvsterious trouble known as " pig face " 

 or ' ' crinkle. " ' 



Another feature was the prevalence of fruit blossoms early in March. 

 Cherry, plum, pear, apple, and other fruit trees were in full blossom, the 

 latter varieties carrying at the same time, crops of fruit. 



This was mainly the result of the hot week experienced in February. 

 AVhere the trees were well forward, and had matured their foliage, or 

 \vhere trees were shallow rooted, the excessi\-ely hot weather caused the 

 dropping of the foliage. The subsequent cool change, with light rains, 

 was sufficient to cause the fruit buds to fullv develop, and to burst into 

 lilossom. 



The blossom, and if fruit subsecfuently formed, the fruit should be 

 removed from the trees, so as to bring them back, as far as possible, to 

 normal conditions. 



The continued dry weather has prevented the .sowing of green manure 

 crops. But with the .showers that have fallen at the end of March, it 

 will now be possible to ha\e the.'^e sown without delay. As previously 

 mentioned, one of the main objects in connexion with cover crops should 

 be to obtain as abundant growth as possible in the autumn, so that a greater 

 quantity of organic matter may be added to the soil. 



In stiff clay and in sour soils, it will be an advantage to give the 

 autumnal dressing of lime. From 4 to 5 cwt. per acre will be all that is 

 necessary. 



For the successful coping with the Codlin Moth pest, it is essential 

 that all fallen and diseased fruit .should be gathered and destroyed. 

 Where bandages are u.sed, the.se should be remo\"ed and thoroughly cleaned, 

 or preferably, they should be burned. 



Strawberries may now be planted out ; if planting is carried out at 

 once, they will take a firm roothold of the soil before winter sets in. 



Vegetable Garden. 



The vegetaljle garden should now be well ilug over and left in a fairly 

 rough state Various seedlings from the .seed-f)ed, such as cabl)age, 

 cauliflower, onions, and celery may now be planted. The celery beds 

 should be well drained, as blanched stems will ret in the winter, if much 

 soil water accumulates around the jilants. 



Asparagus beds should be cleaned over, and all plants that have ripened 

 their seeds should be cut Ijack. The weeds too should all be cleaned out, 

 and their seeds should not be allowed to settle in the beds. 



Early peas, broad l^eans, and onions may now l>e sown. 



