1869.] CULTIVATION OF HARDY FRUITS. 395 



conclusion can we arrive at regarding the moisture to be found beneath 

 it, than that it has been derived from the branch upon which it lodges ] 

 It matters not how much horticulturists be divided in opinion regard- 

 ing its effects upon fruit-trees, all are at one that it should not be there. 

 It consists of a dry scaly crust having neither roots, stems, nor branches, 

 yet nevertheless attaches itself with great pertinacity to the seat of its 

 existence. It extends itself over the branch by a multiplication of its 

 thalli, which are of a curled appearance, resembling leaves, and performing 

 the same functions. Being a cryptogamous plant, it bears no flowers, 

 but around the edges of the thalus it abounds in spore-cases, which are 

 either growing from or imbedded in its surface. Although in some 

 cases the Lichen does not spread very rapidly, yet in others it does so 

 with amazing rapidity. This altogether depends upon the state of 

 health enjoyed by the tree. If the tree should be in a very delicate 

 state of health, the spread will be all the more rapid, as these spores 

 when ripe get shifted by the wind from the parent plant to other por- 

 tions of the tree, there in due course of time to become independent 

 plants. Laying aside altogether the fact whether or not the presence 

 of this Lichen is injurious to the tree by draining its life-blood out to 

 support the parasite, there is the undeniable fact that its presence pre- 

 vents to a greater or less extent the free admission of light and air, as 

 well as that due amount of respiration which is so necessary for the 

 health and wellbeing of the tree. It is a well-ascertained fact, that 

 wherever a tree is attacked its usual vigour is soon diminished, the 

 growths become more weakly year by year, and in the end the growth 

 comes almost to a stand. Not only is this the fact, but as a natural 

 consequence the fruit becomes less in quantity, smaller in size, often 

 deformed in shape, and always of an inferior flavour. It is therefore 

 the interest of the cultivator to ascertain the cause of its presence, so 

 as to be able in his future management to obviate further injury from 

 it, and endeavour as far as possible to find out a remedy for those 

 already suffering. 



I have failed to find that any of our leading horticultural writers 

 have given any attention to this enemy of fruit cultivators. Many and 

 various are the private reasons I have heard assigned for its presence, 

 many of them very plausible, some of them very absurd. The conclu- 

 sion which, from observation, we have arrived at concerning it is, that 

 trees under good management and in a healthy state always escape ; 

 whereas trees, especially old trees in bad health, are always attacked. 

 Now what has been said in former papers regarding the keeping 

 of a tree in health, must at once force upon the reader the reasons 

 which we assign for its presence. A cold and wet soil or subsoil, into 

 which the roots have penetrated, and which provides food wholly un- 



