93 



growers, the main idea on this system being to cut away all the 

 branches that are inclined to run to the perpendicular and keep 

 the top of the tree quite low, and allowing the branches to spread 

 out horizontally like a big umbrella. We do not however, feel 

 inclined to advise such a wide departure from ordinary practice 

 until the system is adopted extensively by growers. 



MAL DI GORMA. 



[OR ROOT ROT.] 



This disease is so widely spread about amongst Cape Orchards 

 that we think it will not be out of place to insert here the treat- 

 ment as recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who 

 have made exhaustive enquiries on the subject : 



1. Remove the earth from about the roots for 2 or 3 feet from 



the trunk, being careful not to wound the healthy root 



In all cases the roots should be left exposed till recovery takes 

 place, except possibly during a portion of the winter when severe 

 freezes are liable to occur. 



2. Cut away all diseased spots in the bark of the roots or trunk 

 and cover the wounds with one of the following antiseptic solu- 

 tions : (1) Sulphurous (not sulphuric) acid, 15 parts to 85 parts of 

 water. This may be sprayed on the roots. (2) Carbolic acid, 1 

 part of crude acid to 1 part of water. When diluted 1 to 5 this 



may be sprayed over the roots These solutions 



should be kept in wooden or glass vessels and should not be 

 allowed to come in contact with metals. It is possible that either 

 of these applications will prove of benefit even if the diseased 

 spots are not cut out. In this latter case, however, care should be 

 taken to saturate the bark of all diseased spots with the solution . 



3. When the diseased trees are old and closely set, so that the 

 ground is much shaded, every other tree should be removed and 

 r eplanted in a new grove. 



4. Avoid highly nitrogenous fertilizers in diseased groves, 

 using preferably Nitrate of Soda, or Sulphate of Ammonia, as a 

 source of Nitrogen. 



5. All tools used in infected groves should be cleaned and 

 washed with crude carbolic acid before they are used in healthy 

 groves. 



6. In setting new groves dead trees should be replaced with 

 trees budded on resistant stock. 



7. Avoid excessive and deep cultivation in diseased groves. 

 Injuries to the roots, such as are often caused by deep ploughing, 

 seem to greatly favour the spread of the disease. 



