112 



The Codlin Moth, owing to our genial 

 climate, has as many as six broods during the 

 summer, and continual spraying with arsenate 

 of lead is necessary to control the pest. As a 

 preventative against Woolly Aphis, which is 

 very bad with us, all apple trees are propa- 

 gated on bhght-proof stocks, " Northern Spy " 

 and " Winter Majetin " being commonly in 

 use. This ensures that the roots will be free 

 from the attacks of these insects. 



For protection against the sucking insects 

 (aphides and scales), we spray the trees 

 during the winter months with a prepared 

 oil (known commercially as " Red Oil "). I 

 am surprised that this spray is unknown in 

 England, as, although Woolly Aphis was only 

 conspicuous in isolated cases. Mussel Scale 

 was present in a number of orchards visited. 

 This oil emulsifies readily with water, and is 

 the best spray we have for this class of insect. 



For the prevention of fungoid diseases, 

 Bordeaux, Burgundy and Lime-Sulphur are 

 used. Although pear scab is fairly bad in 

 England, it was noticeable that the apple 

 trees were particularly free from black spot. 

 Canker is considerably more prevalent in 

 England than in Australia. 



Spraying. 



Owing to the different manner in which 

 English and Australian orchards are planted, 

 the methods of spraying (or washing, as it is 

 termed in this country) vary. In English 

 plantations, which are closely interplanted 

 with nuts, currants, gooseberries, etc., it is 

 obviously impossible to take a horse-drawn 

 waggon between the rows of trees. In con- 

 sequence, growers in this country have 

 adopted various means to carry out their 

 spraying. In some orchards a small hatiH- 

 propelled pump, wii h a capacity of about 15 

 gallons, is used ; in others, permanent under- 

 ground galvanized iron pipes are laid, having 

 upstands throughout the orchard. Flexible 

 hoses are attached to these, the mixtuie 

 being pumped by an engine. Probably this is 

 the best way to overcome the difficulty, but a 

 great amount of labour is ri quired. 



In Australia, as there is no interplanting of 

 the ground between the trees, horse-drawn 

 pumps are used. Both hand and power 

 machines are in vogue, the latter becoming 

 more popular each season. The hand machines 

 are usually mounted on a cart or truck (a 

 sledge is sometimes u-^td during the winter). 



and have a barrel or vat of a capacity of 40 to 6(> 

 gallons. The vehicle is drawn down between 

 the rows, one man pumping, while another 

 sprays. The power machines consist of a 

 60 to 200 gallon vat with a 1^ to 3^ h.p. motor,^ 

 the whole mounted on n truck, and two or 

 four rows of trees may be sprayed at once. 



Legislation. 



In Australia the growing, sale and export 

 of fruit are controlled by a number of Acts of 

 Parliament. To the English grower, this, at 

 first sight, might seem to make fruit growings 

 in our country a hazardous vocation. Actually, 

 the reverse is the case, these acts all being in 

 the best interests of the conscientious grower, 

 and protecting him against his woald-be 

 indifferent neighbour. Each state is divided 

 into districts, each under the jurisdiction of 

 an orchard supervisor, whose duty it is to see 

 that proper and sufficient means are taken to 

 control pests and diseases, and also to give 

 advice on any orchard problem. If the grower 

 refuses or neglects to take measures against 

 pests and diseases, the supervisor has the 

 Authority to have the trees cut down at the 

 owner's expense. This course is now seldom 

 necessary, although a number of trees were 

 thus treated shortly after the introduction of 

 the Vegetation Diseases Act. 



Not only aro we prevented frooa all iwing 

 disease to ravage our orchards, but we are 

 not permitted to offer infected fruit for sale. 

 We have also to sell our produce in cases of a 

 specified sizi— for export the cases must be 

 new. I understand that an act is now in 

 force in one state to make the grading of fruit 

 compulsory. This is a step in the righc 

 direction, and I hope the other states will 

 follow the good example. 



The Eaglish grower, unfortuaately, comes 

 under practically no legislation wh-itever. A 

 Vegetation Diseases Act nas become law, but 

 its provisions are not enforced, except in thi 

 I asea of Wart Disease in potatoes and Goose- 

 berry Mildew. Thus, the conscieutioua grower 

 sprays his trees, and his lazy neighbour keeps 

 a splendid breeding ground for pests and 

 diseases. Surely this ii «, terrible state ot 

 affairs for a country which was growing fruit 

 before Australia was even discovered ! It is 

 high time the Ministry of Agriculture woke up, 

 and realized it responsibilities — enforce legis- 

 lation, and protect the man who is trying ta 

 help himself and help England, b,nd m-^ke the 



