ORCHARD WORK.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1793, 4 July 1913, Page 10

ORCHARD WORK.

; IfDYICE FOB JULY OPERATIONS, ; Dealing with the question of orchard vrork for July, Air. \\. A. Boucher, Government Pomologist, lias tho following /to say in tho "Journal of Agriculture":— ' Planting. 1 In many localities in tho Dominion tho planting of orchard-trees during the month of July is to be avoided, on account of tho unsuitabilitV of soil and climatic conditions. Usually at this season of tho year cold and more or less wqt weather prevails. Under such circumtho soil is not in a satisfactory condition, either for working or for planting. It is far better to wait for a later period, and set' out the trees when tho soil is warm, friable, and moist, but not wet. Consignments of tl : ces arriving from tho nursery should be carefully heeled in until such time as tho soil and climatic conditions are faTouratle for planting the orchard. To heel in, prepare a , trench in moist, friable soil, either with the plough or spade., When tho trench has been prepared lay the trees in, either singly or in small bundles; shovel in the .loose earth, slmke it in among the roots, and press down firmly with tho s foot. The object in view is, as far as possible, to prevent the air from reaching the roots during the period in which tho trees must remain in the trench. Spraying. ; , During the month of July spraying for several pests and diseases caji be satisfactorily carried out—in fact, every opportunity should bo .taken . of suitable weather-conditions to push on tho work, in order to avoid an unnecessary rush at a later period. Mussel scale, red spider, and mealy bug should receive the careful attention of growers, and every effort be made, by thorough, spraying with tho red-oil emulsion, to as far as possible eradicate these pests from the orchard. It has been noticed that fruit infected with all three pests has arrived at the markets from districts and orchards where spraying is regularly practised. A fruit inspector naturally has no desire to find unnecessary fault, but in the courso of liis duties must draw the attention of growers t'o the fact that pest-infected fruit is coming forward, although he may know that spraying for the control of the pests has been carried out. It is then for tho grower to investigate and find out the reason why, even in spite of spraying, the pests are still in evidence. The question of results is a most important one. Tho principal cost involved in spraying is that of labour, so that every eflort should bo made to secure and effectively apply a material that will produce the results desired. It should be remembered that tho cheapest spraying-materials are not always the best, and that the saving of a small amount in the cost of material may lead to considerable loss in the cost of labour and possible loss, of fruit. : It is especially desirable that only compounds- of proved worth should be used, in view of the export trade that is nowbeing established. It is obvious that only fruit free from pest or blemish of any kind , should bo sent to foreign markets, and to' secure such, fruit tho most thoroughly effective spraying with compounds of proved value will be required. Pruning. s Pruning operations may now be' carried ' on with advantage. It will be. necessary to cut back young trees and thin out older ones. Where canker is known to be present in an orchard special attention should be given, and care exercised to seo that infected twigs or limbs aro cut back ■to clean healthy wood. It is not infrequently tho caso that prunings are left to lie about in an orchard or garden or' in the vicinity. All primings should be : gathered up and burned, as somo diseases, at : any rate, aro carried over •frftih "Sfei&Jh to season; : 'in" : tho /diseased bark "or wood that has been removed from infecced trees. ' Peaches and Nectarines, Fruit trees of this class that lave not alreiidy been sprayed should receive /an application of the Bordeaux mixture— 10-10-40 formula.' It is important that a first spray should bo applied as soon as possible after the leaves have fallen, in order to protect the bark of the trees, and especially the -leaf and blossom buds, from attack by tho die-back fungus (Clasterosporium carpophiluin). Gooseberry. Leaf-spot. ' Gooseberry-'oushes should be thoroughlysprayed with tho Bordeaux mixture, 10-10-10 formula, to protect them against attack by leaf-spot, which in many instances of late years has proved fatal to tho crop, and in some cases to the bushes themselves. Raspberries and currants will also benefit by tho application of ,the Bordeaux mixture—lo-JO-10 formula.