128 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



would be hopeless to expect to keep fully disinfected. An experi- 

 ment tried during last season in spraying with a solution of hypo- 

 sulphite of soda, applied several times during the period of expansion 

 of the buds, gave no evidence of beneficial effects. 



The application of washes cannot, of course, be made to the flowers 

 or growing shoots, but excellent results may reasonably be expected 

 when made to the trunks and larger branches. Sufficient study has 

 not yet been given to the matter to say what will j^rove the most 

 effective aj^plication, but linseed oil has been advocated as forming 

 an elastic coating, and to it might be added some sulphur, and at 

 least 1 per cent, of carbolic acid. This would seem to answer every 

 requirement for an antiseptic, and for the exclusion of atmospheric 

 germs from the cracks in the bark. To decrease the amount of crack- 

 ing the body of the tree may be shielded from the sun's fiercest rays 

 by a low trimmed head, or by leaning the whole tree toward the 

 southwest, or by boards, matting, or other protection, on the sunny 

 side of the trunks. 



Among the indirect methods of fighting the disease none are more 

 important than those which secure slow growth and early maturity 

 of the shoots. This has been recognized from the first agitation of 

 the subject, but until the present time there has been no unanimity 

 of opinion as to the exact objects to be accomplished. From the pre- 

 ceding account it is apparent, however, that the chief aim should be 

 (a) to keep the amount of tender surface of shoots at a minimum, in 

 order to diminish the chances for the penetration of germs, and (b) to 

 make the tissues as solid as possible, as the progress of the disease 

 and the chances of its entire cessation are in inverse ratio to the suc- 

 culency of the parts attacked. 



The means for producing iinif orm growth and early maturity which 

 have found favor from time to time are various, and their value for 

 special cases is usually conditional. One of the most generally appli- 

 cable methods is to convert the orchard into permanent meadow after 

 the third or fourth year from setting, to be treated with an annual 

 dressing of chemical fertilizers or a moderate application of stable 

 manure. Experience shows that this method considerably reduces 

 the percentage of blight while maintaining fruitfulness at nearly or 

 quite the usual standard. The cultivation of some crop during the 

 season, such as oats or buckwheat, is less efi'ective. Restricting prun- 

 ing as much as possible has some value. Root pruning has been 

 warmly advocated, but is only advisable when there is strong proba- 

 bility of a severe attack of the disease, and is not applicable to all 

 situations. Certain varieties, e. g., Duchesse and Seckel, are less in- 

 jured by the disease than others ; and the selection of varieties in 

 their relation to the disease is therefore to be borne in mind. 



Of genuine remedies there are none; but as the disease is local, 

 and spreads through the tissues slowly, it is possible, as has long 

 been known, to effectively check its progress by amputation. The 

 smaller limbs are to be cut off a foot or two below the lowest mani- 

 festation of the disease, and the spots on the trunk and larger limbs 

 are to be shaved out, cutting deep enough to remove all discolora- 

 tion. A careful operator will keep the knife disinfected with car- 

 bolic acid or otherwise; if this is not done the disease will be con- 

 veyed in a small percentage of instances to the freshly cut surface, 

 necessitating a subsequent excision. The beneficial effects of this 

 treatment ai-e least apparent during periods of epidemic, when the 

 tree is attacked at almost every vulnerable point. At such times 



