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Questions submitted by Mr. Massey, and Answers by the Government Pomologist, W. A. Boucher. Before answering the questions submitted, which I understand are intended to apply only to the Otahuhu orchard placed under my charge, subject to reports from time to time by a committee composed principally of Auckland fruit-growers, I must explain, in justice to the Department and myself, the history of the orchard prior to the time operations were commenced. For some years after planting every care was given to the trees, which, surrounded by a close shelter-belt of Pinna insignis and macrocarpa, made rapid growth. It was only when season after season the fruit produced was rendered unsaleable by codlin-moth that the owner became discouraged. A long period of neglect followed, the orchard being eventually let to a tenant, who, finding no profit from the fruit, allowed his cattle the run of the orchard, with the natural result that many of the lower limbs of the trees were so much damaged as to necessitate their removal. Later the property was sold to the present owner, Mr. F. Lippiatt, who attached so little value to the trees that he had commenced to take them out. When the question of the Department taking over an orchard for spraying for the codlin-moth was prominently brought forward, this property was suggested as being most suitable, partly on account of the fact that it was practically impossible to find any place that was in worse condition generally —the trees being infested with scale, woolly aphis, mealy bug, and codlin-moth, and the fruit with scab (Fusicladium dendriticum), the limbs of the trees being also covered with moss and lichen —and partly on account of previous efforts having failed to place and keep the orchard in satisfactory condition. After this preliminary description it will be readily understood that, with trees denuded of many of their lower limbs, the cost of all orchard operations has been enormously increased. The fruit is almost all out of reach for gathering except with a ladder, increasing to a very considerable extent the cost of handling the fruit. The spread and height of the trees —which no system of pruning could reduce without the sacrifice of the crop for two or three seasons, which would not be advisable, seeing that the orchard was taken in hand solely for spraying against the moth — increases the cost of material for spraying, and time and labour in effecting it. Although the cost is stated in reply to question 7, it would be absurd to apply this as a general rule ; for, in any orchard that has been well pruned annually from the time of planting, twice or even two and a half times as much could be accomplished at the same expense. The labour question has been another serious consideration, for the size of the orchard does not justify the engagement of a permanent qualified man, and I have been obliged to rely upon untrained assistance. It is hardly necessary to point out that untrained help, however reliable and willing, cannot accomplish as much in a given time as after a period of training and practice. For these reasons the expenses of working at Otahuhu cannot be taken as a fair criterion of what could be accomplished under more favourable conditions. Mr. Massey's Questions. 1. The varieties of apples treated, and number of each variety?— Cox's Orange, Ohinemuri, Pride of Australia, and Simmonds' Winter, also Red Astrachan. The number of trees of each variety lam unable to give from memory. Will furnish later. 2. The spray mixtures used, and number and variety of trees each one was applied to?— Season 1901-2: Paris green, arsenic and soda (two formulas), arseniate of lead. Particulars of cost and method of preparation are fully described on pages 427 and 428 of the Report of the Division of Biology and Horticulture, 1901-2, as follows : — Spraying fob the Codlin-moth. In order to set at rest all controversy regarding the value of different arsenical washes for the codlin-moth, I decided to test several during the same season and under the same general conditions on adjoining rows of trees, so that the cost of each, its value as an insecticide, and the injurious action (if any) on the foliage might be noted and compared. The following arsenical sprays were tested : — Paris Green. 1 lb. to 200 gallons saturated solution of lime-water. Cost.— Paris green, Is. ; lime, 5d.: total cost per 200 gallons, Is. sd. Arsenic and Soda No. 1. 1 lb. white arsenic, 2 lbs. washing-soda, to 700 gallons of lime-water. Cost. —Arsenic, Cd. ; washing-soda, 2d.; lime, Is. 5Jd. : total cost per 700 gallons, 2s. ljd. Arsenic and Soda No. S. 1 lb. white arsenic, 4 lbs. washing-soda, to 400 gallons of lime-water. Cost. —Arsenic, 6d.; washing-soda, 4d. : lime, 10d. : total cost per 400 gallons, Is. Bd. Arseniate of Lead. 1 lb. arseniate of lead, 1J lbs. treacle, to 12 gallons of plain water. Cost. —Arseniate of lead, Is.; treacle, ljd.: total cost per 12 gallons, Is. ljd. Resin Mixture. 1 lb. washing-soda, 1J lbs. resin. Cost. —Washing-soda, Id.; resin, 4|d. : total cost per 80 gallons, 5Jd. Paris Green. —In preparing the Paris green spray, in the proportion of 1 lb. Paris green to 200 gallons of limewater, 2 oz. of Paris green will be carefully weighed for each 25 gallons of water. Proportions arranged by guesswork are not satisfactory, and may be attended by very injurious results. Prepare a saturated solution of lime-water, weigh out 2oz. of Paris green and about the same quantity of lime, mix together dry, add water sufficient to make a stiff paste, mix thoroughly, and add to the saturated solution of lime-water, which will then be ready for_use. An efficient agitator in the liquid is absolutely necessary, as the Paris green settles rapidly, so that a considerable quantity may be discharged from the pump upon a single tree with disastrous results. On account of the frequent showers that fall in the spring and early summer in the Auckland District, I have added to each 18 gallons of the above half a gallon of resin-solution, prepared by adding 1J lbs. of resin to 2 gallons of boiling water in which lib. washing-soda has been dissolved, and boiling until the resin is thoroughly dissolved. Observing these proportions, a