CHERRY DISEASES 171 



may kill the blossoms, thus destroying the set of fruit. It may 

 destroy a whole crop of green, ripe or ripening fruit (Fig. 47) 

 before picking. The trouble is particularly destructive in 

 transit and in the market. Sometimes leaves (Fig. 47) and 

 twigs are blighted. The losses involved are frequently exten- 

 sive. The. disease commonly prevents choice cherries from 

 being placed on distant markets. Losses have been estimated 

 from 10 to 50 per cent. Its wide range over the globe and 

 the numerous fruits which the brown-rot fungus attack are 



FIG. 47. Brown-rot on cherry. 



factors in the economic importance of the disease. The disease 

 is readily controlled by spraying with lime-sulfur, diluted 1-40 ; 

 first application, just before the blossoms open to prevent 

 blossom-blight ; second application, just after the shucks have 

 fallen, when fruits are about the size of peas ; and again as 

 the fruit begins to color. Arsenate of lead, 2 pounds to 50 

 gallons, should be added to the second application for worms. 

 Finely ground sulfur and dry arsenate of lead 90-10 may be 

 dusted on the trees instead of spraying them. (See more de- 

 tailed discussion under Peach, page 270.) 



