APPLE DISEASES 15 



especially dreaded. A large harvest may be totally lost in a 

 few days. Bitter-rot has probably done more to discourage 

 apple-growing in many regions than all other fungous and in- 

 sect pests combined. 



The losses resulting from this disease are of two sorts; namely, 

 injury to the fruit, and injury to the limbs. Affected fruits are 

 rendered worthless, so far as their market value is concerned, 

 the decay-process being rapid and complete. The amount of 

 the losses incurred in some years has been so great as to cause 

 many apple-orchard ists to abandon the business. Instances 

 are on record where bearing apple-orchards have been leased 

 at $5 an acre for a period of five years, the grower choosing to 

 be guaranteed this small sum rather than venture getting 

 nothing from his trees on account of the bitter^rot disease. It 

 is estimated that in four counties in Illinois the loss due to this 

 disease was $1,500,000 in one season. Single growers some- 

 times lose 10,000 to 20,000 barrels of apples, while the damage 

 to the apple-crop of the United States in 1900 was estimated at 

 $10,000,000. Bitter-rot cankers are destructive, like other 

 cankers, in that the bark is killed. In many cases limbs are 

 girdled and death of the affected member results. 



Not all apple-varieties are affected alike. In Virginia the 

 Yellow Newtown (Albemarle Pippin) is preeminently the great- 

 est sufferer. On the other hand, the Winesap is conspicuous 

 because of its resistance. The Ben Davis is said to be one of 

 the most susceptible varieties in the Middle West ; in Virginia, 

 however, it shows a comparatively slight tendency to rot. 

 Along the Atlantic seaboard the York Imperial and the Grimes 

 are regarded as relatively resistant. The Willow and Hunts- 

 man are listed as susceptible in Missouri and Illinois. 



Symptoms. 



Bitter-rot may be expected to show on the fruit at any time 

 from June to October, although July and August are bitter-rot 

 months. The time of the first appearance varies with the geo- 



