Orchard-Work For August.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 August 1913, Page 2

Orchard-Work For August.

By W. A. Boucher, in tho Journal of Agriculture. Planting. Where autumn planting has been deferred owing to heavy rain having rendered the soil unsuitable for planting, the month of August wili provide favourable opportunities. Every advantage should be taken of the fine weather that usually prevails at intervals during next month. Peaohes and Japanese plums especially should receive early attention, to be "followed by the planting of other fruits that are later, in coming into bud and blossom. Pruxixg. The winter pruning of the orchard should never be overlooked. If this very necessary work lias not been carried out, attention should bo paid to it without delay. It is altogether unwise to allow a season to pass without pruning fruit-trees, as it is a difficult matter, and one involving1 more or less loss of crop, to briDg the trees into suitable shape again. Treament of NuitsKiiY Stock bbfoke Plantimg. [n ih*s lifting of nursery stock tho roots are necessarily more or less cut and bruised. All such cut and bruised, portions should be carefully removed by cutting further back, perferably with a sharp knife, so that the bark surrounding tlie cut may remain uninjured. In most if not all cases it is wise to cut back all roots before planting. Tor-rnuNns-G. It is necessary that all fruit-trees should bo pruned either before or soon after setting out m the orchard or garden. Trees as received usually j have a considerable amount of wood which if left unpruned would do considerable more harm than good, for until a completely : new -rout-system has commenced to form the fewer buds there are—within leason —the better the trees will flourish. Moreover, uniformity in growth is most desirable, arid that can be secured only by heading back as nearly as possible to a uniforn height. Cultivation. The working of orchard land, which for the most part -will have been left untouched during the months of June and July, will now require the attention of the orohardist. When sun and wind have removed superfluous moisture from the land, leaving the soil in a moist and friable condition, advantage should be taken of every opportunity to plough, and, if necessary, cross-plough, disc, and harrow, id order to bring the soil inio fine tilth, so that the working with the cultivator which will necessarily follow may proceed unhampered.

SI'UAYiXU.

In connection with the spraying of peaches and nectarines, whatever tnay have boon done or loft undone, it is absolutely necessary that the trees should bo sprayed thoroughly with the Bordeaux mixture, 1 0-10-40 formuia, when the buds are swelling. Trees not so treated will almost cer-i tainly suffer later in the season from eovcro attacks by fungus diseases from which they will not readily recover. When spraying, care should be taken to see that all the young growth should receive a thorough coating of the mixture. In most localities it will not bo too late to spray apples, pears, and plums attacked by mussel scale and red-oil emulsion, diluted to winter strength, A good brand of red oil emulsified with soft-soap has so far proved very satisfactory m checking infection by woolly aphis and controlling mussel scale and ied spider. It niust, however, be remembered that under no circumstances should fhe red oil be applied except at the time when the trees are dormant and the buds closed. Cherries should be sprayed thoroughly with the Bordeaux mixture, i 0-10----4 0 formula, when the buds show | signs of swelling, in order to protect the trees from attack by leaf-scorch. Lemons :As soon as possible after the main crop has been gathered the I trees should be sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture, 4-5-50 formula. Im most districts lemons are subject to attack by verrucosia and grey scab. The . above-mentioned compound should be used as a preventive, otherwise the crop may be seriously affected. For scale insects, especially the black scale'by which lemons are almost invariably attacked, spray with the kerosene emulsion. Strawberries : Spray with the Borj deanx mixture, 4-5-50 formula, in order to protect the foliage us far as possible from attack by leaf-spot. RoouvrusGus. This fungus, which is present in the light soils in many localities, will iif neglected, cause serious loss to the grower by causing the death of . affected trees. Apple, plums, and 1 gooseberries are especially susceptible to attack. As a preventive apply pulverized sulphate of iron in the proportion of 1 lb to 3 lb per tree, and ■I lb to Ub per bush, according to ago. Sprinkle over the surface of the soil near the trunk or stem and work lightly into the soil,