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30] Peacr Cuurure IN CALIFORNIA 45
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ind, which is most widely destructive, hibernates as an adult in the
il or erevices on the bark of trees as well as on other plants. Adults
this form appear about May or June and continue feeding and egg
"ving thoughout the summer. Summer oil and sulfur sprays and
fur dusts seem to be effective against this pest. Red spiders are less
jurious in orchards that are well supplied with soil moisture than
orchards that are suffering from drought.
Gophers.—There are five methods used for destroying gophers,
tmely, (1) poisoning, (2) trapping, (3) fumigating, (4) flooding,
1d (5) protection of the gopher’s natural enemies, especially the barn
vl and the gopher snake. A combination of two or more of the
ove methods is more certain than any one of them. Traps are
pecially satisfactory for individual gophers in orchards. Poisoning
1d fumigation are used when gophers are numerous over a large
reage. Flooding is automatic when the orchard 1s irrigated and it
easy to kill the gophers which are flooded out.
Ground Squirrels. —Ground squirrels may be controlled by the
sthods employed for gophers except that flooding is not effective.
hese methods are used at various times depending on the dampness
the soil and the habits and life cycle of the squirrels. Poisoned
ain is used to a considerable extent and is perhaps the most
tisfactory remedy.
Rabbits and Deer.—Rabbits and deer are sometimes abundant and
come serious pests in young orchards. Shooting, poisoning and
neing are the principal means of protection.
SPRAYING AND DUSTING
It is practically impossible to grow peaches commercially without
e use cf sprays or dusts, or both, because of the various disease and
sect pests. The use of fungicides and insecticides has become a
gular part of the orchard business. There are many kinds of
andard spraying and dusting machines as well as reliable materials
at the fruit grower may purchase for use in his orchard.
As has been stated previously, peach trees require spraying at
itical times with certain materials. In order to do this efficiently a
ywer sprayer is almost essential. For emergency purposes, where
1ick and economical methods are imperative. a power duster is often
{visable.
The spraying or dusting machinery should be kept in good condi-
on and ready for action when the time arrives for its use. The
22 Dixon, Joseph. Control of pocket gophers and moles in California, California
rr, Bxt, Cir. 29:1-16. 1929.