The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-01-24
MORE APPLE GROWERS
PLAN ORCHARD SANITATION

Present indications are, that
there will be an abundant carry
over Of worms from the past sea-
son, and the most tremendous
emergence of codling moth in the
spring of 1886 we have ever exper-
fenced. Since spraying cannot
reach single worm of this inn
mense brood until after the egg is
deposited and Matched, most grow
ers realize the need of supple
mentary measure to aid in the con-
troll of this enormous increase.
Unquestionably the most effect
i've of all measures that have been
tried is the use of orchard santa
ton and chemically treated bands,
which have been developed and
perfected by the Federal Bureau
of Entomology and we'll proven
beyond the experimental stage.
Mr.. Newcomer claims that as much
as rs percent of the worms leav-
ing the fruit may be caught and
destroyed by these bands and the
cost trivial compared with the
benefit received. Other reports
from reliable growers are just as
encouraging. One large orchard
company harvested 100000 boxes
this past season, reporting Q per-
cent worms with a spray program
of only four cover sprays; others
claim reduction of spray cost of
one-third to one-half. This as
cost at an average of approximate
ly ten cents per tree, mostly labor
cost. When the worms leave the
fruit, from the middle of June un-
til the last of the season, they seek
the nearest dark and protected
place to spin up in their cocoons.
Loose bark on the trunk and the
branches of the tree and debris
scattered about the orchard furn-
ish ideal quarters for this purpose.
9 Trees should be thoroughly
scraped, being sure to scrape well
to at least 2 inches below the soil
line, these scrapings and other
trash to be destroyed by burning.
Since scraping the trees is the big
gest cost the first year, this might
well be done in the winter months
while the farm work is not heavy,
few at time when convenient,
having everything ready for the
bands when needed. This first
scraping is good for three years,
and after that time the trees may
be kept clean of bark with very lit
tie work. If possible keep your
orchard boxes and Tugs enclosed in
the packing shed, which should be
well screened to prevent the escape
of the moth when Matching. Keep
and destroy all wormy Trimmings
and light discing under the trees
will destroy some worms.
Another offender in almost all
orchards us that individual tree
that has shown no profit over a
period of years, oftimes an odd tree
of some unknown variety or sum-
mer apple that usually receives
more promises than they do spray
material and are classed as slack
ers, boarders, worm incubators, OF
what not. Follow the example OF
the dairy and poultrymen and elm
mate these from your orchard
They make excellent fire wood.
The above methods will also ma
terially assist in the control of San
Jose scale by uncoyering many that
you are not able to contact with
the dormant spray, and this will
solve that ever present September
first mystery of-whence came the
scale.
If you have not the time and
means to cover your whole orch
ard this year, make start on a
small block and prove to yourself
the value of this supplementary
measure, according to G. A. Nag
ley, deputy Horticultural inspector.