THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AM F RICA. 



547 



writer and others time and ayain to show to impartial 

 judges the proof of the ofticacy of his treatment in any 

 one of these trees and has failed to do so. 



It is stated that the words of the acting chief of the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry is a queer response when in 

 answer to a question, he replied : "That much that has 

 been written about the che>tnut tree blight is exaggerated. 

 There is no serious disease of the birch." This answer 

 was made two years ago. at which time almost any plant 

 pathologist would likely have given the same answer. 

 The visible effects of the l)light have, of course, increased 

 tremendously in that time, and the party referred to might 

 now make a very different answer to the same question. 

 Even now there is probably no very serious fungous dis- 

 ease of the birch. 



Mr. Edwards states as a demonstrated fact that any 

 sort of a tree can be saved that is infected with any blight. 



such as the chestnut blii^ht, peach yellows, etc. With the 

 knowledge he claims to have of tree diseases he must 

 know that the best informed tree doctors, scientific qr 

 practical, have endeavored for years to get any remedy 

 whatever for peach yellows, and have absolutely failed. 

 The only possible relief is from the "cutting-out" method, 

 such as is now practited by the Chestnut Tree IJlight 

 Commission for chestnut blight.. The writer is probably 

 as hopeful as to the future control of the chestnut blight 

 as any other well-informed person, but there is at pres- 

 ent absolutely no remedy for chestnut blight or peach 

 yellows. If ]\Ir. Edwards really has a remedy, everlast- 

 ing fame and fortune await him. On the other hand, he 

 must prove his contention quickly, or he has the just cen- 

 sure of a public misled bv false claims. 



M. A. C.ARLETOX. 



Chestnut Tree Blight Commission. 



The Care of Apple Trees 



By William Reid. 



In choosing the care of apple trees for this article I 

 would say that I am a great lover of apples. They are 

 the king of all fruits, and can be had all the year round. 

 They can be cooked in a great many ways, and they are 

 one of the most healthful fruits grown. 



The following notes are from actual experience. The 

 first is pruning. The object of pruning is to let in light 

 and air to all parts of the trees, cutting out all interlacing 

 branches and keeping the center of the trees open. In 

 cutting off the branches be sure to cut close to the main 

 limbs, so that the cut will soon heal over. If you leave 

 stubs they will not heal over readily but will keep on 

 decaying, and after a few years the trees will be full of 

 holes. 



It is well to thin in such a manner that you will have a 

 well balanced tree. If some of the shoots are getting 

 much longer than others, they should be cut back, other- 

 wise they will take the strength away from the others. 

 The latter part of November and the early part of De- 

 cember is a good time to do the pruning in New Jersey. 

 As a rule the weather is pleasant for the work at that 

 time, but they can be pruned any time from November to 

 the middle of 3ilarch. In fact I would not hesitate to cut 

 off a few branches any time that I thought needed it. 

 During the summer is a good time to go over the trees 

 and cut out any dead branches as they are then readily 

 seen. I prune our apple trees in November even before 

 all the leaves have fallen. 1 think it is a good time as I 

 can readily see where the branches are too thick. By 

 pruning early I have an opportunity to do the first spray- 

 ing for the San Jose scale in the early part of December. 

 The scale is much softer at that time and the early spray- 

 ing is much more effective. I used to spray twice every 

 year, in December and March, but we have got 

 the scale under control now, so one spraying in 

 December is all that is necessary. For the San 

 Jose scale I u.se Scalccide. also Scaleine. I have had 

 equally good results from both. They are both handy to 

 use, sim])Iy measure out the cjuantity, put it in the water 

 and it mixes instantly. ".Scaleine" is als(< splendid as a 

 summer spray for the aphis that attacks the young shoots 

 of the apple trees. I have used the home-made sulphur 

 and salt for the scale, but I do not like it. It is disagree- 

 able to use. and I do not tiiink it is as effective as the 

 above remedies. One year 1 used eight ])ounds of caus- 

 tic soda to fifty gallons of water, which gave the trees a 

 fine a]:)pearance and seemed to stick on for a long time, 

 but was not effective for killing the scale. This solution 



was also disagreeable to use as it burned the hands and 

 the face, making it necessary to wear goggles and a mask. 

 Kerosene emulsion with plenty of whale oil soap I have 

 found effective. And the only objection to its use is the 

 trouble in preparing it. 



SCRAPIXG OFF THE BARK. 



In the latter part of February I advise scraping all the 

 loose bark off the trees. It gives them a fine apjjearance 

 and clears out the lodging places for a great many kinds 

 of insects. This may appear a big undertaking, but one 

 can accomplish a great deal in a few days, and it makes 

 the spraying in March more effective. 



In old trees that have been neglected and are full of 

 holes from decayed limbs, I would dig out all the de- 

 cayed part and fill up with cement and sand. .A gauge 

 chisel and a small wooden mallet are the best tools for 

 digging the decayed wood out of the holes. 



In holes that are not very deep it is best to drive nails 

 inside the hole a little way into the wood a few inches 

 apart before putting in the cement. This will reinforce 

 the cement and prevent the frost from heaving it out. 

 In mi.xing the cement, do not get it too soft or it will run 

 out as fast as you put it in, and be sure to pack it in the 

 holes firmly. Smooth the surface of cement over nicely 

 with a small trowel. Do not fill up the holes clear to the 

 bark, but make it even with the wood, thus allowing the 

 bark to grow over the cement. When the cement has 

 hardened it can be painted with dark green paint which 

 will improve its aiijiearance. After treating the trees in 

 this manner you will be surprised at the results. They 

 will start growing with renewed vigor. It gives them a 

 new lease of life. 



oil) NF,GLECTED TREES. 



In ])runing old neglected trees it is well to leave some 

 of the sprouts that grow from the main branches and cut 

 out some of the older ones so as to renew the trees. In 

 this wav there is i)ractical]y no limit to the age of an 

 apple tree. The best tools for pruning are a \<mg han- 

 dled pruning shears, a ])erfection pruning saw on a ten- 

 foot pole, and an ordinary hand pruning saw. 



I advise cutting the tops off of old trees that are very 

 high, as it makes it more convenient for spraying, picking 

 the fruit, and thining the fruit. This checks the growth 

 of the trees somewhat, but they will recover after the first 

 year. Twenty feet is high enough for the trees. At 

 this height they can be sprayed in half the time, and the 

 fruit is not so liable to lie blown otT. 



