104 ArchhoJd on the failure of the Apple Tree 



same fate, the necessity of careful consideration is much increased. 

 I noticed in several of the apple trees, after the severity of the 

 winter three years ago, that many of the large limbs became 

 disordered by their cellular tissues not admitting that uniform 

 and free flow of sap to the outer extremities of the branches, which 

 was necessary for healthy growth. The consequence was, that 

 there remained in the trunk an overflow of sap, and some very 

 severe freezing nights coming at the time, the sap froze, and 

 caused the outer bark to burst ; the trunk soon after presenting 

 a black and decaying appearance. This is one of the causes to 

 which I attribute the decay. 



I have also observed in gardens and orchards, at a season when 

 the trees are in full vigour of flower and foliage, that they have 

 been completely denuded of their leaves by the ravages of the 

 caterpillar. Thus being left bare to the influence of a June sun, 

 their health and vigour were seriously impaired. I have observed 

 that trees which suff"ered so, for two years in succession, hardly 

 ever recovered from the eftects of it ; this is one other cause to 

 which I attribute the decay of the apple. To avoid injury to the 

 trees, care should be taken as to the time ot pruning. When this 

 is done in the beginning of March, or, as is sometimes the case, 

 before that time, and wounds are left bare, without any cover or 

 protection, the influence of a hot sun by day, and hard frost 

 by night, is such, that these wounds emit a portion of the sap, 

 and cause the parts atlected to become black, a sure forerunner 

 of decay. In my humble opinion, that work should be deferred 

 till later in the season. My reason for forming this opinion is, 

 that I have observed in my practice of budding, which com- 

 mences about the middle of July for stone fruits, and continues 

 all through August for the pear and the apple ; that having to cut 

 and prune the stocks to a considerable extent, I always found the 

 wounds, at that season, to heal up very quickly, and leave no trace 

 of black, such as might be seen in early spring pruning. Another 

 cause of decay, seems to me to be some kind of atmospheric 

 agency, for I have frequently noticed a portion of the branches of 

 apple trees becoming black in parts where there were no wounds. 

 Sometimes at the junction of the lateral branches with the 

 main branch, and sometimes near the outer extremity of the 

 branch. Some persons attribute the appearance to lightning, but 

 that appears to me rather doubtful, for although thunder and 

 lightning are common in the summer months, in Canada, I never 



