Pip Fruits: Pears 99 



ever, is that the scientist has put forward something which by actual 

 practice has been proved to be an effective remedy. It can scarcely be 

 said that in the matter of pests of fruit trees anything at present on 

 the market is entitled to be called absolutely effectual. There are many 

 preparations which are a great assistance to the grower in combating the 

 attacks of his enemies; but this is the most that can be said. 



It cannot be doubted that an agreement among all_the growers in a 

 district to take common action with any measures which, after due in- 

 vestigation, commend themselves as the best, if carried out loyally, would 

 lessen the depredation of the pests against which the action was directed 

 in that district. If once the imagination of market gardeners, or better 

 still agriculturists generally, awoke to the mine of benefit lying waiting to 

 be worked by combination and mutual confidence, they would sink a shaft 

 at once. A great deal has been said about a Government fruit farm for 

 experimental purposes, and demands are made for State aid in other 

 directions. It is curious that extreme individualism and grand indepen- 

 dence should be driven by their own centripetal force to lean on Govern- 

 ment action. Agriculture, besides being the oldest, is still far and away our 

 greatest industry; a little infusion of the spirit of buoyancy and enterprise, 

 a little softening of ancient prejudices, a little opening of the lungs to the 

 air that blows from the hills of high endeavour, and agriculture would 

 have its own experimental farms, conduct its own investigations, even 

 perhaps have a home for its Central and Associated Chambers! 



To return for a moment to the question of compulsory treatment, there 

 is this difficulty with pests that attack fruit trees, which does not exist 

 in the case of animals: you can order all the sheep to be dipped and see 

 that it is done, you can order all the fruit trees to be sprayed and may get 

 it done; but then you have but touched the fringe of the matter, for forest 

 trees may be as acceptable, as hosts, to the pests, as fruit trees, and it will be 

 admitted that the compulsory spraying, for instance, of giant elms is a tall 

 order; yet much of your spraying of fruit trees may be rendered nugatory 

 unless you do it. (See Vol. I, p. 171.) 



The fungus that produces scab on the Pear as well as on the Apple will 

 probably cause the Pear grower some annoyance. It will be impossible 

 to produce fruit of presentable appearance if this pest is allowed to run 

 unchecked. A good caustic spray in winter, and two or three sprayings 

 with Bordeaux mixture in spring and summer, should keep it down. 



Pear Thrips have been reported as causing some damage by attacking 

 the blossoms and fruitlets. Professor Theobald recommends a dressing of 

 Kainit round the trees before the buds open, and says tobacco wash has 

 been found effective. The latter is, however, rather expensive and will 

 not pay to use unless the pests are numerous, and its etfect very beneficial. 



