New York Aguioultural Experiment Station. 347 



No variety of apple is more susceptible to canker than the 

 Esopus (Spitzenburg) although a few New York orchardists are 

 growing this variety to perfection. After an inspection of the 

 trees, we are inclined to the opinion that the Esopus trees, as 

 well as some other kinds, are easily "ujurcd by the sun's rays 

 in summer. Such injury is also common to various cultivated 

 trees in many parts of the west, where it is known as sun-burn. 



The canker fungus finds access to the living tissue through 

 such injuries and though the injured area itself is small it mdy 

 soon be greatly extended by the growth of the fungus. 



In some parts of the west, orchardists spray their trees during 

 the winter with a whitewash as a protection against sun-scald. 

 Whitewash has been used to some extent to prevent the pre- 

 mature swelling of fruit buds in spring and it has been found 

 to be some protection against winter injury as well. That the 

 action of the lime may also have a beneficial effect on the trees 

 is shown by instances in which a healthy condition of the bark 

 has followed its use. 



The formula given below is recommended by the best authori- 

 ties for a winter wash. The tallow and salt render the mixture 

 very adhesive so that it is not readily washed off by winter 



rains. 



Lime (unslaked) 30 pounds. 



Tallow 4 " 



Salt 5 " 



Dilute with enough water to make it spray easily through a 

 moderately fine nozzle. 



Heading the trees low so as to protect the trunk from the sun 

 and forming a thick head for the purpose of shading the 

 branches, help to prevent sun-burn« 



THE TREATMENT OF APPLE-TREE CANKER. 



The experiments in treating a canker-infested orchard were 

 continued through the season just closed and again we must 

 report that no definite results were obtained. However, it is too 

 much to expect that flattering results will attend a spraying 



