lo Aug., 1912.] Orchard mid Garden Nofes. 515 



18. When any newly-calved cow is rendered temporarily unfit for testing by 



being affected with milk fever, mammitis, retention of placenta, or other 

 ailment afTecting newly-calved cows, the period elapsing between the 

 calving and entrance to the official lactation period may be extended on 

 the recommendation of a Veterinary Officer or Supervisor, but such 

 period shall not exceed one month from date of calving. 



19. Any interpretation or decision in respect of these Regulations, or in respect 



of any matter concerning the certification which receives the written 

 approval of the Director of Agriculture shall be final. 



20. Should the owner of any herd entered not conform to these Regulations, 



such herd shall be subiect to disqualification for such period as the 

 Minister shall determine. The Minister retains the right to withdraw 

 any certificate when to his satisfaction good and sufficient cause is shown. 



ORCIIAllD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. PescoU, Principal, School of Horticulture, Burnley. 



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 stone fruits with the red oil emulsion at 

 this time, as there will be the danger of burning and destroying any early 

 buds that may be swelling, aiid consequently loosening their outside scales. 

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

 quince trees with this spray, especially where the Bryobia mite, scale 

 insects, or woolly aphis are prevalent. 



If it is intended that the lime and sulphur wash will be the specific 

 for these and other pests, it may still be used with safety, although the 

 spraying should be completed as early as possible. This mixture has a 

 certain value as a fungicide, and it is well worth trying on peach trees- 

 that have previously been affected with leaf curl ; more especially in view 

 of the fact that in some districts severe burning has occurred in peach 

 orchards as a result of using Bordeaux mixture late in the season. 



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, adding a teaspoonful of caustic soda to a 

 cask of steeping stems. The liquid may be used strong, and eveiy 

 endeavour should be made to kill out the first insects that appear. 



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

 Pruning of evergreens, such as oranges, lemons, and guavas. may be left 

 until later. 



Young deciduous trees should be planted not later than this month, 

 according to the directions given in last month's notes. The soil should 

 be trodden firm around the roots, and, when planting has been completed, 

 the trees may be headed back to three or four buds on each arm. 



Preparation may be made for planting citrus and other evergreen 

 trees. The soil should 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 month. A close observance should be kept, and 

 the insects should be regularly collected and destroyed. 



