FRUIT CULTURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9555, 30 July 1909, Page 5

FRUIT CULTURE.

DEMONSTRATION OF PRUNING AND SPKAYING. Yesterday afttmoon Mr F. E. Nottage, Inspector of Orchards, i nder the Department of Agriculture, gave a practical demonstration of spray-

ing and pruning fruit trees. The was arranged by the Masturton Horticultural Society, and Mr A. Hathaway very kindly allowed the demonstration to be conducted at hia orchard, attached to his residence in Cole Street. Each member of the Society wan allowed one privilege ticket, and the result was a large attendance of orchard enthusiasts. The practical demonstration of pruning was first deal with, and it was decidedly interesting and instructive.

Mr Nottage is not only an expert with the socateurs, but he has the faculty of imparting his knowledge to others in a very lucid manner. Apple, plum, cherry, pear, and

peach trees were all dealt with, and as each tree was relieved of its superfluous wood the Inspector clearly explained his reasons for doing so. The demonstrator strongly deprecated j "pretty pruning," as it only meant I sacrificing a good fruit tree for the sake of trying to procure uniformity. If a tree were pruned on scientific lines from time of planting, there would be no unshapely trees. The demonstrator concluded with an exhibition of spraying for the extermination of parasitic fungi and insect pest, the well-known Bordeau and lime, salt and sulphur mixtures being I used,and the method of preparing the mixtures was shown. Mr Nottige

impressed on those present that the best time to spray for scile was just before the fruit buds broke, generally speaking about a month later than the present. For peach trees he recommended tiaat they be sprayed with the Bordeau mixture after the leaves had fallen,a second application to be made just before the fruit buds broke. On behalf of the Society, Mr J. Caselberg proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Hatlnway for ■ the privilege of using his orchard, • and to Mr Nottage for the very \ practical lesson which those present [ had received.