? ' . ? * . i Orchard pests need control There are many disease and in sect pests that can ruin entire crops of apples, peaches, plums, or other ' tree fruits. Although fruits grown in the home orchard do not need as much care as those grown commercially, % good horticultural and pest management practices are necessary. Fruit tree management begins with choosing varieties adapted to your growing area. Disease and insect problems often arc more severe on varieties not adapted and plant survival may be poor due to winter injury (freeze injury), heat stress, or other environmental stresses. In addi tion, fruit quality may be poor. Good tree growth should be maintained. This requires proper liming prior to planting and fertilization of established plantings. Grass and weeds can severely stunt young trees. Trees should be mulched or all grass and weeds removed from the area extending from the trunk to beneath the drip-line (edge of branches). Pruning is extremely important for maintaining tree vigor, preven ting limb breakage and aiding pest control. Many of the microoganisms that cause diseases live in dead or in jured wood and spread from this wood onto the fruit and foliage. Be sure to remove all dead and weak wood when pruning in the winter or spring. Although the extent of pest in jury can vary greatly from year to year, certain fruits are more likely to have problems than are others. For instance, stone fruits (nec tarines, peaches, plums, cherries) generally require more care than pome fruits (apples, pears). The tree fruits requiring the most care to those which require the least are nectarine, peach, cherry, plum, ap ple, and pear. Extension News Willie Featherstone County Extension Chairman Conditions which favor disease development or insect occurrence vary depending on the particular disease or insect. Generally, warm, rainy, damp conditions are very conducive for infection' and development of diseases affecting fruit crops. For best disease control, disease con trol chemicals should be applied before rainfall occurs. There are certain times of the year when specific disease and in sect pests are most likely to cause damage, thus timely application of chemicals is important. For certain pests, controls must be. applied before the growing season starts. Your county agricultural extension office has Horticultural Information Leaflets, Plant Pathology Infor mation Notes. Entomology Information Notes, and North Carolina Extension Ser vice publications which provide detailed information on pest con trol and production practices for fruit crops. Your county agent can also help with pest identification and offer timely suggestions for your specific pest problems. In addition, Exten sion Teletip provides information on fruit production and pest con trol by calling 1-800-662-7301. By following this home fruit spray guide, losses to disease and insect pests should be minimal. Sprays applied every 2 to 3 weeks are essential to produce good quality fruit. Use of excessive amounts of pesticides may cause injury and are wasteful. Home fruit spray mixtures can be purchased at many garden centers and may be more economical for homeowners who have only a few trees. Contents of the home fruit spray mixtures vary considerably; try to select those which contain the chemicals listed in the home fruit spray guide. Persons using rigorous cultural and sanitation practices may not ' need to follow the spray guide as closely. The pesticides listed were chosen because they are relatively safe for use near the home, effective against a wide range of fruit diseases and insects, and generally available at many garden centers. Remember, pesticides are designed to kill pests and as such they should be used and stored with ex treme care. Always read and follow the directions on the con tainer before using the pesticide. 'Although these pesticides will control most disease and insect pests, there are certain times that a substitute or additional pesticide is recommended for control of a specific pest. Combination spray for disease and insect control Amount to Uae In Water Pesticide To Use*For 1 Gallon For 10 Gallons Captain 50% wettable powder 1.5 tablespoons 5 oz. PLUS IMIDAN 50% wettable powder 1.0 tablespoon 3 oz. (phosmet) OR Malathion 25% wettable powder 4.0 tablespoons 7 oz. PLUS **Mcthoxychlor 50% wettable powder .2.0 tablespoons 4 oz. Hofe County Law EnfoRcEment Association Bar-B-Qub PWb SaLe SmiRDAY m +, 1185 RaeW. li C. ^ 0s5, Parnell Fertilizer Co. More than just the best custom applicators around! Our reputation as top-notch fertilizer applicators is spreading fast. More and more farmers know they can count on us for fast, efficient service. They like the way our skilled drivers and modern equip ment assure even coverage over the entire field. Our reasonable rates help, too. Even if you apply all your own fertilizer, we still have much to offer. We're experts who will help you match soil fertility to your yield goals. And we're willing to go that "extra mile" to keep you satisfied. Stop by soon. PARNELL FERTILIZER CO. Highway 71 ? Phone 858-3532 Parkton, N.C. 28371 When it's time to fertilize., .it's time to see us! Eradiation Watch for our Special Section June 6, 1985 For Details On Placing, An Advertisement Or Submitting, News For This Section . Please Call The NeWS-JoUrnal ' 875-2121 Enviro-Chem Co. EXTERMINATORS HOUSEHOLD PEST CONTROL JimConoly office 875*146 1 RAEFORD. N.C. EXTERMINATOR HOME 864-2314 I Long BMch Off ica 273-9069 Sidney Mansfield /Exterminator ? B m Taking a bow This goat on Larry Brazier's Rock fish farm seems to be standing up to bow to those passing by her pen. J.H. Austin Insurance Agency, Inc. HOMEOWNERS Fire, Auto, Business We Can Design Proper Coverage At The Lowest Cost To You - Compare Our Rates Sine* 1960 Phone 875-3067 112 W. Edinborough Ave. Raeford, N.C. *4*8 ^6 1> i9rt*9c? * V?.2>q? S7 Cr?*?Fi r?*>Ht '*I '?"My,