GARDEN NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 18, 16 July 1920, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES.

SPRAYING FRUIT TREES. There ca» be no question as to the efficacy of the lime, sulphur, and salt mixture as a winter wash for spraying fruit trees, more especially for trees that are very badly affected with mussel and San Jo&e or oyster scale, etc. Many mixtures have been tried and experiments carried out with them in the Homeland and in America, but nearly all agree that for a winter spraying nothing is more effectual than this mixture. It originally was a sheep dip used in California by a large sheep farmer, and it was a mere accident that it was used at all for gardening. A neighbour's fruit tr,ees were so bad witb San Jose scale that he was almost despair. ing, when this farmer persuaded the orchardist to try the sheep dip upon the trees. To the astonishm,ent of all concerned, after the spraying had been tried not a living scale could be found, unless upon places that the solution had not touched. No doubt the trouble of makiiig it is the great drawback to its becoming very popular, but bad cases need strong measures, and strong measures at the first often save a deal of worry and anxiety afterwards. Some will say : "What about Scalecide, Montauk, and Blytorph?" These are good ; I have tried them all, and they are first-rate. for early spring sprayiftg just before the buds burst. They are of the oily nature, and are very much easier made into a wash. Scalecide and Blytorph mix readily in cold water. But I have found Montauk much more effectual and safer to use if made hot with soapy water, it then mixes more freely, and it not so liable to be too strong or too weak by separating. These washes are to be mixed according to the directions upon the tins, varying from one gallon of the liquid to 20, 30, and as high as 50 gallons of water, the latter amount for a second spraying. Now we will proceed with the lime, sulphur, and salt. To prepare it take 501b of best unslaked lime, flower of sulphur 1001b, water to make 55 gallons. Put 10 gallons of water into an iron boiler ; bring it to the boii ; then add 101b of the fine slaked lime, next the sulphur. This is best mixed into a thick paste with hot water before placing in the boiler. When all is in, boil for 30 or 40 minutes, until the liquid becomes a blood or deep bronze colour. Thoroughly stir, and add sufficient water to make 55 gallons; then add 101b salt, and bring the whole . to a vigorous boil for about fifty minutes ; strain off and keep in a barrel. If the barrel is not quite full pour in a small quantity of kerosene to prevent a crust forming. Then this liquid may be drawn off as i*equired, adding one part liquid to 12 parts of water for winter use, or 1 part of the liquid to 30 parts of water for summer use. Small quantities can be made proportionately. Copper boilers must not on any aCcount be used, and care should be taken not to stir up the lime or sediment when drawing o3 for use, or it may get into the nozzle of the spray. If only small quantities are rejquired it need not be put into barrels, but used straight away ; but care must be taken to add the proper amount of water, and hot water is preferred. It is then more effective if the solution is used hot. The old fcoiled lime, and sulphur wash may be made successfully in kerosene tins for a few trees or a small fruit gardeh. In this case take 7glb unslaked lime, 7^1b powdered sulphur, 71,1b salt, and 20 gallpns of water. First boil oue gallon of the water adding the sulphur and half the lime, after being slaked, and hal? the salt. Boil this, as with the larger lot, 40 or 50 minutes ; then have ' a large tub, and mix the whole of the remainder of the lime and salt, stirring briskly, and adding the extra amount of boiliog water required to make the 25 gallons. Then let it settle, and strain and •use as required. This is for a winter wash only. This jiriakes a good wash for red spider and red brobfa, those very troublesome pests that attack the foliage of apple trees in summer, and also apple scab, etc., but for this summer wash it must be diluted to -1 in 20 and sprayed well in and all over the foliage. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The work in this department dur'ng tliis month and for a few weeks will entirely depend upon the weather. When the ground wilfibear treading upon without sticking to one's feet take advantage of every favourable hour, for much may be done. Coliect runbish, hedge clippihgs, etc., and make a slow fire and burn them. If the weather is open and dry trench spare plots, and make ready well-manured ground for the sowing of peas and broad beans. Push on all preparatory work as speedily as possible.