952 Report on Grants for Agricultural Research, [fee., 



cultivation was the most influential factor affecting the production of 

 fruit buds and of fruit. It is concluded that this was effective owing 

 to its conserving the moisture in the soil. The next most important 

 influence appeared to be the supply of nitrogen by means of a legu- 

 minous crop grown as 'a green manure. 



Treatment of Old Orchards (Trans. Mass. Horticultural Soc, 191 1, 

 Pt. 1).- — Some suggestions for the renovation of old orchards are given 

 in this publication which may be compared with the treatment advo- 

 cated in Leaflet 70. 



It is recommended that all dead or worthless trees should in the 

 first place be removed and burnt, as they harbour insect and fungus 

 pests. The ground about the trees should be kept clear of waste 

 material. Two or three years must of necessity elapse before the 

 old trees can be properly pruned, on account of their low 

 vitality. The dead wood and growths of shoots, suckers, 

 &c, must be removed, and at the first treatment the tree should be 

 pruned slightly to open the top. If the desired top is obtained in 

 three years the result should be considered satisfactory. The physical 

 condition of the tree being dependent upon the leaves, the growth of 

 the latter should be stimulated by a heavy dressing of nitrogenous 

 manures, e.g., 10 lb. per tree of the following dressing applied early 

 in May before the appearance of the leaves :— 700 lb. nitrate of soda, 

 300 lb. sulphate of ammonia, 460 lb. sulphate of potash, 440 lb. super- 

 phosphate, and 100 lb. kainit. 



Trunks and large branches should be thoroughly scraped to remove 

 eggs, &c, under the bark, care being taken not to injure the new 

 wood. Trunks and branches should also be scrubbed at the beginning 

 of April with a lime and caustic potash wash. 



By the time the tree is pruned it approaches its normal condition, 

 and more radical steps can be taken to protect it from pests and 

 diseases. Lasting injury is almost certain to result from attempts to 

 spray before the tree reaches its normal condition. 



Subsequent manuring is largely a matter for individual experi- 

 ment, but 15 lb. per tree annually of the following dressing is 

 suggested : — 300 lb. nitrate of soda, 300 lb. bone meal, 1,000 lb. basic 

 slag, and 400 lb. sulphate of potash. Grafts should be made from 

 varieties with high reproductive power. 



OFFICIAL NOTICES AND CIRCULARS. 



The Report of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on the Dis- 

 tribution of Grants for Agricultural Education and Research in 1910-11 



_ ' . „ has recently been issued [Cd. 602c;, price 3d.] 



Report on Grants for Durf {he Treasm . v sanctioned a con . 



Agricultural Educahon siderabIe increase in the Board , s Estimates 

 and Research, in respect of these gl . ants and tne amount 

 1Q10— 11 



■ distributed in aid of educational institutions 



increased from .£12,300 in 1909-10 to ^18,840 in 1910-11. Most of 

 the Institutions which usually participate in these grants accordingly 

 received aid on a higher scale than heretofore. In addition to these 

 amounts, which are primarily for the promotion of agricultural educa- 



