FRUIT TREE SPRAYING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1058, 23 August 1930, Page 28

FRUIT TREE SPRAYING

INSECT PESTS Black Spot.—As its name denotes, a black spot on the fruit and leaves: tho fruit is what concerns us the most. Apples and pears are sub jected to this particular disease, especially in rainy, steamy weather. Spray with Bordeaux mixture (61d copper soda, 41b unslaked lime, 22 gal water), copper soda, or lime sulphur when the blossoms are bursting: about 14 days later another applica tion will do no harm. Weather con dttions govern how many times it is necessary to spray—warm, dry weather, one application is usually all that is required, just as the buds are bursting. Codlin Moth—Attacks the fruit of the apple and pear. There are instances of the grub attacking the quinces and plums, hut this is not a generally recognised habit. Spray with arsenate of lead when fruit is about the size of a pea, about 31b to 50 gals, of water, 4glb to SO gals, of water. Continue spraying at intervals of three weeks or one month —according to- the weather—warm weather the eggs hatch more frequently. About four applications throughout the season is usually ample. Our experience has been to spray about second week in November, just before Christmas, again end of January, end of February for the latest kinds. Still, one has to study their own particular district, where these particular times may be too late or too early. Leaf Curl. —On peach and nectarines leaves afflicted: 31b bluestone in SO gallons of water before buds move; one gallon of lime sulphur to 50 gallons of water when trees are in bloom. Peach Aphis.-—Attacks peach, nee tarines and in some instances Japan ese plum. One pint black leaf 40 to 100 gallons water, a little soap added to give adhesiveness. Tobacco water (soakings from tobacco stems), one gallon red oil to 80 gallons. Apply as buds are beginning to swell, and on appearance of aphis. Pear Slug.—Attacks pears, plums, cherries and quinces. This pest is easily kept under with an application of 21b arsenate lead to 50 gallons of water. Spray on first appearance of slug. Woolly Aphis.—Limbs and branches of the apples: spray when trees are dormant, with red oil three and a-half in SO. Crude petroleum is another good remedy. Tobacco wash or black leaf 40 may be used when leaves are out with no danger of damaging them.