TnS AQUIGVLTVUAL J U P. N A L. 



pmning, but it is well to point out that 

 in other countries experience has shoAvn 

 tliat, in the case of certain varieties wliicli 

 do not set their fruit well, a verj^ late 

 pruning — after the sap has begun to rise 

 — has beneficial effects. In pruning, a 

 pair of secateurs, or pruning shears, 

 should always be used for preference. 



LEAVES AND FRUIT OF APRICOT IXJURED BY 

 SIIOTIIOLE FUNGUS. 



Shotholb Fungus and Black Spot 

 OF Stone Fkuit. 



Both of these diseases are of a fungus 

 nature. The former attacks apricots, 

 peaches, and plums, whilst the latter is 

 destructive to apricots and peaches only. 

 Shothole fungus is often very destructive 

 to the foliage, particularly that of apricots 

 and some of the finer varieties of peaches. 

 It also attacks the fruit, and gives it a 

 scabby and often uninviting appearance. 

 The black spot is more common ui)on 

 peaches, and when it first appears upon 

 green fruit has the appearance of numer- 

 ous small black spots. Subsequently 

 these increase in number and size and 

 form dusky black areas. This disease 

 is becoming very common, and greatly 

 depreciates the market value of the fruit. 



The winter treatment for Ijoth is the 

 burning of all piunings and a spraying 

 with strong Bordeaux mixtuie. This 

 must also be followed up by a spring 

 treatment to check the diseases, and as 



the folia>^e of the peach is very delicate, 

 the Bordeaux mixture should l)e consider- 

 ably weakened, say 1 lb. of blueatone to 

 15 gallons of water. This should be applied 

 at intervals of ten or fourteen days until 

 the fruit is well formed. Later summer 

 sprayings should be of ammoniacal 

 caibonate of copper, 1 ounce to 10 gallons 

 of water. This is a clear solution and 

 does not stain the fruit. 



BLACK SPOT OF PEACH. 



White Scale of the Peach. 



The white scale of the peach is a pest 

 which is gradually becoming prevalent in 

 the vicinity of Maritzburg and Grey town. 

 It is an insect which can be held in check 

 considerably by winter sprayings, whilst 

 the trees are quite dormant, with lime- 

 sulphur-salt solution. Apart from the 

 effect this application has upon the scale 

 insect, it also destroys all lichtinous 

 growths and cleans the bark ; at the same 

 time it possesses fungicidal ]>roperties, 

 and cannot fail to benefit deciduous trees 

 to which it is applied. 



The mixture is prepared as follows : — 

 Quicklime ... ... 10 pounds 



Sulphur ... ... 5 pounds 



Salt ... ... ... i pounds 



Water ... ... 15 gallons 



Take a large pot which will hold 6 

 gallons of water, and place in this .'i 

 pounds of lime, the 5 pounds of sulphur, 

 and 3 gallons of water. Boil for an hour 

 or more until all the sulphur is dissolved. 

 Slake the remaining 7 pounds of lime 

 with hot water, and stir in the salt. When 



