CONTROL OF CODLIN MOTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1776, 15 January 1918, Page 3

CONTROL OF CODLIN MOTH.

(By G. 11. Cunningham, Orchard Instructor, Palmerston North). It appears to be a general belief in this district that one or two sprayings will suffice tor the control of codlin moth: the average orchardist being under the impression that it is not necessary to spray till the codlin has made its appearance. The method of control, as laid 'down by the Department of Horticulture, is to spray every 21 days throughout the season, beginning with the calyx spray—the main object of this scales of sprays being to keep the fruit thoroughly covered with the arsenate of lead mixture — using arsenalc of lead at a strength of not less than It lbs. paste to 50 gals, of water.

It is highly important that the calyx spray m applied, il going further towards cheeking the moth than any subsequent spray. Calyx spraying—or spraying when the fruit has set —is considered oE the nt most importance in North America, it being there considered that the codlin grab enters the eye of the apple in the proportion of 75 per cent, of affected fruits.

Two applications are necessary, the object aimed at being to Jill the ealyjrcup wit li a poisonous mixture, the poison to be held in place by the dosing of the calyx, thereby forming a toxic (poisonous) trap for the destruction of all grubs that endeavour Jo enter the fruit at this point. For applying this method thoroughly a high pressure is needed to force the spray well into the calyx cups. This, of course, cannot ho done after they close, which they do in a very short time after the blossoms fall; therefore, owing to the period over which a tree sets its fruit, at least two applications of the spray are required to make the work effective. The iirst of these is recommended to be given when twothirds of the blossom have fallen, the'second when the remainder have fallen.

Spraying for codlin is compulsory, persons failing to spray are liable, on conviction under the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, to a penalty not exceeding £2O.