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Spray for Black Knot. 



68*. SiK, — Do you think there is any kind of spray which would help the black 

 spot or sun scald ? 



W. Bi'TCHAKET, Port Moody, B. G. 



Reply by Mr. John Craig, Ottawa. 



If by " black spot " is meant the apple spot or apple scab, we are glad to 

 say that we have in the Bordeaux mixture a well recognized preventive remedy. 

 Three applications of this fungicide made at intervals of two or three weeks 

 apart, and beginning before the leaf buds open, will certainly prove beneficial ; 

 and effective in proportion as it has been thoroughly applied. 



The black spots which appear on the bark of young trees are undoubtedly 

 due in some instances to the bacterial disease which causes the blight on apples 

 and pears. In other cases it might, and is generally called sun-scalding, and is 

 probably due to sudden extremes of temperature in spring, intermingled with 

 warm sunshine. Some orchardists in the Western States prevent this injury in 

 a measure, by shading the stems of their young trees on the south and west 

 sides, by laths fastened together and held about the tree with wire. Un- 

 doubtedly, a valuable aid towards keeping the bark of fruit trees in a healthy 

 growing condition is the practice of washing the stems and main branches with 

 alkaline washes ; a strong solution of washing soda thickened to the consistency 

 of paint with soft soap, and applied by means of a white-wash brush early in 

 June, will have an exceedingly beneficial effect. 



The Ritson Pear. 



6§9. Would the Ritson Pear be of any value in this locality ? 



John Spencer, Henrysburg, Que. 



Reply by Mr. John Craig, Ottawa. 



I am unable to answer this question satisfactorily. Ritson killed out the 

 second year of its trial at the Experimental Farm, while Flemish Beauty trees, 

 though injured, are making some headway each year, but have borne no fruit. 

 Ritson having originated in Oshawa, was supposed to be valuable on account of 

 special hardiness. This is only our experience with two trees. I am inclined 

 to think that Flemish Beauty might be cultivated with profit in the more favored 

 portions of Mississquoi and St. John counties. If Flemish Beauty has suc- 

 ceeded at or near Henrysburg, then it might be advisable to try a few trees of 

 Ritson, but it would not be wise to plant largely of it at first. 



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