APPLES SPECK. 



37 



The mycelial threads penetrate the epidermis, and through that the filaments break, 

 together forming the raised patches on the surface of the apple. The patches have ft 

 yellowish-white appearance, becoming brown or black through the destruction of the 

 tissues, and the fungus appears to be checked in its growth by drought ; hence it 

 flourishes on fallen fruit, as such receives moisture from the earth. It, however, becomes 

 most pronounced on ripening or ripe fruits. Though not so prevalent nor so injurious to 

 the fruit as scab, yet specks on apples detract from their appearance and using quali- 

 ties. One noticeable feature about this fungus is that, instead of causing the fruit to 



Fig. 18. SPECKS ON APPU (OiDiuic FRTTCTIGENUM). 



References : Specks on half-grown apple, showing the size and form of the patches occasioned by the fungus, natu- 

 ral size. On the right is seen the mycelium at the foot, and springing from it the erect filaments, branching along the 

 side and near the tips ; greatly magnified. 



decay, it actually makes apples keep longer, but at a great sacrifice of juiciness and 

 quality. 



Its attacks may be prevented by spraying with the ammoniacal carbonate of copper 

 solution, as described for apple scab, Vol. I., page 241, when the fruit is half or not 

 more than three-parts grown. Autumn and winter fruit may be sprayed as late as 

 August, but it is desirable that fruit treated with the solution so late in the season be 

 well washed by rain or artificially before use or storing. When these measures are 

 taken, Oidium fructigenum does not appear on fruit in stores. The fungus is taken 



