10 May, 1917.] Orrhard initl dcndtn Notes. 317 



ORCHARD AND GARDEN NOTES. 



E. E. Pescoit, F.L.S., Pomologist. 

 The Orchard. 



CULTIVAJTION, 



Cultivation work should be well on the way by this time. The 

 ploughing should be advanced, so as to leave plenty of time for other 

 orchard work. The autumn ploughing may be as rough as possible, 

 taking care to plough to the trees, so that the drainage furrow is left 

 between the rows. 



Manuring. 



It is just possible, where heavy crops have been carried, that a top 

 dressing of stable manure will be required to add humus to the soil. 

 The fertility of the soil must be maintained ; and, although stable and 

 chemical manures as a general rule are of undoubted value as tree stimu- 

 lants, well-cultivated and thoroughly tilled land will always carry fair 

 crops, and with far less manure than otherwise. Also, if the orchard 

 land is well and thoroughly drained, cultivated, and sub-soiled, any 

 manures that are used will be far more beneficial to the trees. The 

 more suitable conditions that are given to the trees, the better they can 

 appreciate and assimilate their food. 



Perhaps the most useful and valuable of manures is stable manure. 

 It is of great use, not only as a manure and as an introducer of neces- 

 sary bacteria into the soil, but its value in adding humus to the soil is 

 incalculable. Organic matter, such as stable manure, introduced into 

 the soil quickly becomes humus; this greatly ameliorates and improves 

 soil conditions. It is impossible to say what quantity of stable manure 

 is necessary per acre; that alone can be determined by each circumstance. 

 Orchards in different climates and in different soils will require differing 

 quantities. A too liberal use of stable manure will be over-stimulating 

 in most cases ; while an excess beyond what is necessary for present use 

 will only be waste, as humus is readily lost from the soil, once it is in 

 an available food form. 



It has been pointed out in these notes previously that an improved 

 physical condition is far more profitable to the fruit-grower than the 

 continued use of manures. A tree will be far more productive if it is 

 happy in its soil conditions; uncomfortable conditions will always result 

 in unprosperous trees. 



A dressing of lime, using about 4 or 5 cwt. per acre, is of great value 

 in stiff or heavy orchard lands; and it may be given at this season. The 

 lime, wliich must be fresh, should be distributed in small heaps between 

 the trees, covered with a layer of soil, and allowed to remain for a few 

 days before ploughing or harrowing in. 



Pests. 



The advice given last month for spraying should be followed, particu- 

 larly where any oil emulsions or washes are to be used. 



