168 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



thuiKiize. The outl(K)k for next year (1(S83), as at present indicated, 

 is not encouragin<]f, bnt no one can certainly predict the results. 

 Certain it is tbat the trees are now badly inl'ested, and with similar 

 conditions a similar development may be expected. 



The important (luestion is, ''Can anything be done to reduce the 

 damage?" I cannot, with assurance, say ''yes." But some ex- 

 periments on a small scale seem to be sufliciently encouraging to 

 plan for further and more extended trials. The tiling to do, of 

 course, is to kill the fungus and prevent its reappearance. From 

 ■what has been said the most favorable time for treatment is in the 

 winter, when the leaves are off, and the applications should be made 

 to the young wood. 



The suggested trials are, first, pruning awa}" an}^ unnecessary young 

 growth and especially that most attected, then syringing the tree with 

 an emulsion of kerosene oil made with soap and water. To prepare 

 this, mix equal quantities of soft soap, or hard soap softened with 

 water and heat, and common coal oil ; stir vigorously and for at least 

 five minutes, then add ten to twent}' times the quantity of water, 

 and again stir. The result should be a uniform milk^' fluid. Apply 

 in any way so as to wet the bark of the last year's growth, or, tor 

 thoroughness, that of two years' production. No fears need be en- 

 tertained of injur}' to the tenderest part of the tree if the emulsion 

 is well made. It can be applied, if desirable, to the leaves, but there 

 is much less surface to wet before these appear, and it is much easier 

 to reach it. 



Coal oil of itself is injurious to vegetation, but when made into an 

 emulsion, and thus diluted, no fears need be entertained about its 

 use. Still, it ma}' be in this State quite destructive to such fungus 

 growths as that of which we write. 



Sulphur has been recommended for similar use, but in this case 

 little good can be anticipated from it, at an}' rate, if applied in winter. 

 The sulphur itself does not kill fungi, because it is insoluble, but the 

 beneficial effect comes from the gases, products of which it forms a 

 part. In the winter these are not formed, while the rains wash away 

 the solid material. Kerosene, on the other hand, is as effectual in 

 cold as in warm weather, and kills by direct action. 



There is another thing that may be mentioned in favor of the oil 

 emulsion : It is also destructive to insects, and, wherever they may be 

 reached, to their eggs. It is probable that the eggs of the apple 

 aphis, which are deposited in autumn on the twigs, may be destroyed 

 in this way. If so, we can kill two birds with one stone. 



