The One-Straw Revolution - Multiworld India

that, the problem will generally take care of itself. This will not work ifan organic phosphorous pesticide has already been used in June or Julysince the predators are also killed by this chemical.I am not saying that I advocate the use of socalled harmless"organic" sprays such as salt-garlic solution or machine oil emulsion, noram I in favor of introducing foreign predator, species into the orchard tocontrol troublesome insects. Trees weaken and are attacked by insects tothe extent that they deviate from the natural form. If trees are growingalong a pattern of unnatural development and are left abandoned in thisstate, the branches become tangled and insect damage results. I havealready told how I wiped out several acres of citrus trees this way.But if the trees are gradually corrected, they will return at-leastapproximately to their natural form. The trees become stronger andmeasures to control insects become unnecessary. If a tree is planted carefullyand allowed to follow the natural form from the beginning, there isno need for pruning or sprays of any kind. Most seedling trees have beenpruned or their roots have been damaged at the nursery before they aretransplanted to the orchard, which makes pruning necessary right fromthe start.In order to improve the orchard soil, I tried planting several varietiesof trees. Among them was the Morishima acacia. This tree grows yearround, putting out new buds in, all seasons. The aphids which feed onthese buds began to multiply in great numbers. Lady bugs fed on theaphids and soon they too began to increase. After the lady bugs haddevoured all of the aphids, they climbed down to the citrus trees andstarted to feed on other insects such as mites, arrowhead scales, andcottony-cushion scales.Growing fruit without pruning, fertilizing, or using chemical spraysis possible only within a natural environment.60