64t> ]o!(riial of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Oct. ,191: 



In addition to the retention of soil moisture, cultivation of the orchards 

 will suppress all weeds, which rob the trees of both water and food. The 

 suppression of weeds is an important work in the spring and early summer, 

 and they should be rigorously hoed or cultivated out. 



Sfraying. 

 Peach aphis will be claiming attention, as it will now be present in full 

 force, if no winter spraying has been carried out. The spray for the pre- 

 .sent time is a strong nicotine solution, to be sprayed frequently, so long as 

 the insects are present. 



Until its action upon young foliage and fruit is well known, it will not 

 Ije wdse at the present time to spray with the lime-sulphur wash for either 

 peach aphis, peach leaf-curl, or black spot of apple and pear. In all 

 recent American experiments, this mixture has been used upon either dormant 

 trees, or upon trees with mature foliage. Neither will it be wise to spray 

 peach trees at this stage for leaf-curl with Bordeaux mixture. If this be 

 done now, the trees will probably lose their foliage. For this disease and 

 for shothole and scab of apricots, the trees should have been sprayed earlier 

 in the season with Bordeaux mixture. 



As apple and pear blossoms are bursting, the trees should be sprayed 

 with Bordeaux mixture for black spot. If this has been delayed, the sul- 

 phate of copper may be added to the first arsenate of lead spraying for 

 codlin moth, using one pound of copper sulphate to fifty gallons of the 

 spray. 



As soon as the apple and pear blossoms drop, it is time to prepare for 

 the arsenate of lead spraying against the larvae of the codlin moth. Early 

 applications are necessary ; and one of two applications at the beginning of 

 the season, while the apples are growing quickly, will be very efficacious. 



General. ■ 



Grafts on young and old trees will need constant observation ; they must 

 not be allowed to become too dry ; the sap and growth must not be restricted 

 by the ties ; and, if the growths become unduly long, they should be pinched 

 back to make the growths sturdy. The foliage will always be benefited 

 by a water spraying when the weather is hot, dry, or w-indy. 



Citrus trees may be planted out ; watering at planting and giving the 

 foliage an occasional water sprinkling will be beneficial to the young trees. 



Vegetable Garden. 



The surface soil re-.|uires to be well pulverized at this time of the year; 

 ii should be kept well hoed, especially after the necessary frequent water- 

 ings, and all weeds must be suppressed. Apart from their harmfulness in 

 robbing plants of food and moisture, the weeds, if allowed to remain and 

 seed, become a menace to future economical work. 



The top dressing and weeding of Asparagus beds will now be necessary ; 

 the beds should be well cut over as often as necessary, removing all growths, 

 small and large. It is a mistake to allow the small stems to grow on, be- 

 cause they may be to<:) small for cutting. 



Plantings of tomatoes may now be carried out ; all early planted plants 

 should be fed. staked, and the laterals pinched back. A little bonedust or 



