10 March, 1917.] Orchard and Garden Notes. 189 



Report. 



Tlie weather conditions for the past month have not been favorable 

 for egg production. Extreme heat was followed by cold south-east winds 

 on more than one occasion, conditions which have had a bad effect on 

 moulting hens, of which there are many at present. 



Amongst the heavy breeds broodiness continues to be prevalent. 



The health of the birds on the whole is good, and results are quite 

 up to anticipations for this season. 



Rain, 70 ]ioints. Temperature — Lowest, 44 deg. F. ; highest, 104 

 deg. F. (in bouses). 



A. HART, 

 C'liief Poultry Expert. 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



/;'. E. Pixcott, F.1..S., I'diitdhir/ist. 



The Orchard. 



Green Manures. 



If a cover crop of leguminous plants is required for green manuring 

 a start at planting may now be made. This can only be done when all 

 the fruit has been gathered from the trees. An early crop is a distinct 

 advantage. The cover crop should make a good growth before the winter 

 sets in, as the plants make very little headway in the cold weather, 

 and they require to be ploughed in as soon as the ground is dry enough 

 in early spring. It will thus be seen that it is necessary to get a good 

 autumn growth, as dense as possible, and one which will well cover the 

 surface before winter. 



Cultivation. 



Should the weather become hot and dry it will be very necessary to 

 give the land surface a good stirring, so as to conserve water supplies. 

 Where fruit crops have been gathered a start may be made late in 

 the month with the autumn ploughing; whatever ploughing is done 

 should be left as rough as possible. 



Pests. 



No codlin moth-aEFected or diseased fruit of any kind should be left 

 on the ground after the crop has been gathered. These should all be 

 destroyed by boiling. 



All rust-affected foliage and fruit of plum and peach trees, as well 

 as all other stone fruits that have been attacked by this and other 

 fungus diseases, such as shot-hole, &c., should be burned if possible. 

 This will minimize the possibility of future attacks. 



