New York Agricultural, Experiment Station. 343 



can be secured from which definite conclusions may be drawn. 

 However it is a matter of common observation that in the major- 

 ity of instances the disease is not nearly as prevalent in orchards 

 that have been well sprayed with Bordeaux mixture for several 

 years past as it is in those that have not been sprayed. Judging 

 from the success with w-hich many other plant diseases are com- 

 bated it is reasonable to expect beneficial results to follow sys- 

 tematic spraying with Bordeaux mixture as a preventive of the 

 canker. 



In localities where canker is abundant special attention should 

 be paid to the sanitary condition of the trees. Perhaps one of 

 the most important considerations is to see that the trees are not 

 crowded and that they are pruned so as to admit sunshine and a 

 free circulation of air. The old bark is not shed as freely from 

 the limbs and trunks of trees that are densely shaded and the 

 moisture collecting in this bark is not easily dried out; thus 

 faculativc parasites like the canker fungus as well as saprophytic 

 fungi find congenial surroundings. 



The practice of scraping and whitewashing the trunks and 

 branches of fruit trees has largely fallen into disfavor, but it is 

 certainly a commendable practice and should be adopted in locali- 

 ties where canker is severe. However, washes that are less con- 

 spicuous and equally, if not more effective, than whitewash are 

 now recommended ; the following formula has been satisfactory to 



some orchardists: 



Wash for Tree Trunks. 



Whale oil soap 1 pint. 



Slaked lime 3 pints. 



Water .' . . 4 gallons. 



Wood ashes To thicken as desired. 



Dissolve the soap in hot water, then stir in the lime. When 

 the ingredients have been reduced to a smooth state by stirring 

 dilute with water to four gallons, then stir in wood ashes till the 

 wash is of the desired consistency. 



Other formulae equally as good as the one given are in use, but 



