April 1, 1905 
Before the irregularities in the orchard 
trees can be successfully dealt with, especi- 
ally those resulting from organic causes, 
some idea must be gained, not only of the 
symptoms, but also of the nature of the 
ot the disease. Then, when the orchardist 
is sure of his ground, he cami strike at the 
very heart of the infection, and quickly 
remove it. 
The diseases due to vegetable or fungous 
organisms are, perhaps, more to be feared 
than insect pests, because they are so mi- 
croscopically small, and grow in such an 
insidious manner that, in many cases, the 
damage is done before anything is seen of 
the cause. Fungi are placed by botanists 
very low down in the vegetable world, and 
are grouped with seaweeds, lichens, ferns, 
and mosses, as the plants which do not 
produce flowers, and, therefore, have no 
seed. Reproduction takes place by means 
of little bodies, representing seed, called 
spores, which appear in immense numbers. 
When combating fungous diseases, these 
spores are what the orchardist must en- 
deavor to fill, or otherwise prevent from 
growing. 
There are some seasons when certain 
fungous diseases, black spot, for instance, 
is much worse than in other years; the 
same remark applies to all fungi, but all 
kinds may not be prevalent at the same 
time. When black spot is plentiful, it does 
not mean that leaf rust will be plentiful 
too. Hach has a certain degree of tempsra- 
ture and moisture in which it will thrive 
well. All the world over, among all the 
vegetable kingdom, it is ever thus, that 
what suits one plant may not be exactly 
the thing for another. 
Many things conspire to bring about 
what is termed a “bad year” for a certain 
pest. It may be the result of a sequence 
cf many good seasons of growth, in, which 
the spores hecome more and more nume- 
rous, until a climax is reached; or it’ m ay 
be worked up in two seasons, if they be 
favorable. Firstly, there must be a good 
season for the production of myriads of 
spores; secondly, this must be followed by 
« mild winter, during which few, if any, of 
the hibernating spores are killed by cold. 
or web; and then, thirdly, a second good - 
season of growth must follow to still fur- 
ther increase the pest. But fortunately 
such a combination does not often occur ; 
Nature is to a certain extent on our side. 
It often happens that a “bad year” is fel- 
lowed by a sudden and conspicuous ab- 
sence of «isease; this is due to climatic 
influence; and the vagaries of climate are 
responsible for the Killing of more disease 
than our present irregular systems of 
treatment. 
Spores, however, possess great: vitality, 
and may lie for several years in a dormant 
state, should conditions not be favorable 
to growth. In this fact is found the reason 
that the most successful sprayings for fun- 
gous diseases are now recognised to be, not 
the applications in winter, but those given 
inspring, just when the fungi are becoming 
active and seeking to obtain a hold on the 
unfolding leaves or newly-set fruit. 
There are many fungous diseases on our 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
fruit trees which, to some in one district 
and others in another, prove themselves 
serious pests. The principal ones will be 
selected, and a popular description of each, 
tegether with the readiest remedies will be 
given, commencing here and continuing 
through subsequent articles. 
Powdery Mildew of Apple.—As the name 
implies, this fungus appears like a white 
down or mildew over the leaf of the apple. 
It is only troublesome in the cooler dis- 
tricts, where sometimes it Spreads very 
quickly, attacking young leaves as they un- 
fold, causing them to be distorted and un- 
able to fulfil their proper functions. Both: 
sides of the leaf are attacked, and the dis- 
ease, if unchecked, will spread over a whole 
orchard in a short time by means of my- 
riads of spores it produces. 
The mildew is said to be particularly bad 
among nursery stock, possibly its ravages 
are more apparent among small trees. <A 
moist, warm spring and summer are most 
conducive toits spread. When the young 
leaves are thus prevented from maturing, 
not only do the growing shoots become 
stunted from want of nourishment, but the 
whole tree will suffer from the exposure 
breught about by loss of leaves; the fruit 
also will be ruined. In bad cases the 
result of the disease is seen the next year, 
even if the actual fungus is not present 
again, for the effect is such that good 
growth and healthy fruit spurs have not 
been made for the next crop of fruit. So 
there is the necessity to check the fungus 
as soon as it appears, that it may not 
spread further, for the white downy ap- 
pearance of the affected leaf is caused by 
the presence of countless spores, cach of 
which is capable of being blown, or other- 
wise carried to new leaves, and the fungus 
reproduced on them. 
Remedics.—In districts. where the pow- 
dery mildew is known to be prevalent, or 
when a bad season for the disease is expect- 
ed, spray carly, just when the buds are 
unfelding, with the summer strength of 
Bordeaux mixture prepared by mixing 4 Ib. 
cf sulphate of copper (bluestone) and 4 lb. 
of lime in 40 or 50 gallons of water. The 
bluestone must be well dissolyed, and the 
lime freshly slaked before using. 
The first spraying checks the disease by 
killing the fungus plants just as they are 
beginning to grow on the young leaves, and 
so the latter have an opportunity of ex- 
panding properly. But so quickly does the 
disease spread from other quarters that it 
may be found necessary to spray again in 
a few week’s time, or even several times 
during the season, in order to protect. the 
growing shoots. 
Should the early spraying be neglected, 
and the disease be found to have a hold on 
the shoots in spring, it is then not too late 
to attack it. A spraying at once will kill 
numbers of spores, and prevent. them 
spreading. Although the leaves alreadiy 
affected cannot be saved, yet, if the treat- 
ment be given early enough, fresh leaves 
will be put out in time to help the tree 
perform its functions during the summer. 
All fallen leaves about infected trees, 
and the shoots which are cut off when prun- 
13 
Se 
ing, must be burnt, because im such hhar- 
bors the spores live through the winter. 
Were the prunings left about they would 
prove a menace to other trees when spring 
came round. 
—Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 
Vegetable Garden. 
ere meen) 
OPERATIONS FOR APRIL. 
By W.S. Camppet. 
As good rains frequently occur during 
April, any heavy work, such as trenching 
and preparing for the planting of perma- 
nent vegetables, had better be carried out 
whenever time permits. 
Asparagus.—'his is one of the best of the 
permanent vegetables referred to above, 
and should be planted in the early spring. 
Té will succeed in almost any part of the 
State where other kinds of vegetables will 
grow. In most unexpected places it may 
be found luxuriating—far away in the 
west, for instance—where sufficient water 
can be provided for its requirements. When 
preparing land for this vegetable, unless 
the soil is naturally rich, a good deal of 
ianure should be used ; that is, horse, cow, 
fowl, or sheep dung, cither separately or 
mixed together. 
Beans, Broad.—During the month: these 
may bo sown as extensively as may be re- 
quired, for this is about the best time of 
year ta sow. Sow in rows about 3 or 4 ft. 
apart, and drop the seed about 4 in. apart 
in the rows. 
French or Kidney Beans —It would be 
unsafe to Sow any more seed! of this vege- 
table, except in those parts of the State 
which are not likely to be affected by frosts. 
Bect, Red and Silver.—Attend to seedlings 
which have come up, keep them free from 
weeds, and thin out well. Further so1w- 
ings had better not be attempted until the 
spring. 
Borecole or Kale.—If it be intended to 
make a trial of this vegetable, sow a’ little 
seed. 
Brussels Sprouts—This is one of. the 
very best of the cabbage tribe of plants, 
and should be grown wherever the climate 
may be found! suitable. It will succeed 
best in cool or rather cool districts. En- 
deavor to obtain: seed only of the highest 
quality, as there is a great difference im 
the merits of different kinds of seeds; and 
although the price of the best may be 
higher than other kinds, it is well worth 
the extra cost to procure the best. Sow 
a little seed from time ito time, and plant 
out any seedlings which are well grown and 
which have been) pricked out for the pur- | 
pose. Use plenty of manure when pre- 
paring the soil for the planting, 
Cabbage.—Sow seed from time to time 
as extensively 2s may be required, but 
there is no necessity to waste any seed. 
Plant out any young cabbages that are 
well enough grown. 
Cauliflower-—Sow a little seed during 
the month, and plant out with! good dealJ 
