CHAPTER XVI. 



DISEASES AND INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT. 



^?HE DISEASES OF FEUIT TREES are mostly the 

 "■^ijl result of either neglect in cultivation or the ravages 

 J^^ of insects. A thrifty, strong, growing tree is but little 



^^ liable to disease. Thorough drainage, deep cultivation, 

 and such manuring as is given to other crops will prevent nine- 

 tenths of the diseases of the fruit tree. 



The Blight of the pear, apple, and quince has not been 

 traced to its cause ; but the remedy is to cut off at once all dis- 

 eased parts and burn them. This blight spreads rapidly, and it 

 is economy even to cut off the whole head of several valuable 

 trees, rather than incur the loss of the whole orchard. Stag- 

 nation OF THE Sap is mostly caused by barrenness of the soil 

 and water at the roots ; the remedies are therefore underdrain- 

 ing and manuring. Winter Killing is the result of the expo- 

 sure of the stem to the sun. A few warm days in the latter 

 part of the winter starts the sap and the buds, and the succeed- 

 mg cold weather freezes both. A northern exposure is therefore 

 the best for such fruits. The shorter the stem the less liable is 

 the tree to this mishap. Warts on the plum and cherry 

 should be cut off and burned as soon as they are discovered, ■ 

 and the wound covered with the preparation of shellac before .■; 

 recommended. The Mildew will not appear on the peach in a 



deep dry soil, if they are well mulched, manured, and cultivated 

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