CHERRIES DISEASES AXD ENEMIES. 147 



trees to bard forcing. Trees against back walls, as shown in the section, Fig. 47, 

 must only be considered temporarily useful whilst the trees on the front trellis are low. 

 They are also serviceable when it becomes necessary to introduce new trees. 



Pruning. Prune the trees directly the leaves have fallen, by cutting out dead and 

 useless spurs, thinning crowded, shortening elongated, and cutting back pinched shoots 

 to an inch of their base. These remarks apply equally to potted and to planted-out trees. 

 Extensions must not be shortened except for originating more growths ; the central 

 shoot or shoots of young trees need this for filling the space with regularity. Cleanse 

 the house and trees. Limewash the walls, train the trees to the trellis, remove the 

 loose material on the border, supply fresh loam, mulch with an inch of short manure, 

 and let the lights remain off till the time of starting the following season. 



DISEASES. 



The cherry is not so liable to disease as some fruit trees. Gum is the most disastrous, 

 and is fully treated in Vol. I., page 234. Mildew sometimes attacks the blossoms and 

 young fruit and growths ; see Vol. I., page 245. 



Leaf-spot (Septoria cerasina). This minute fungus produces dark masses on the 

 leaves, preceded by yellow spots, disorganising their tissues, absorbing their fluids, and 

 causing their discoloration and premature fall. The Septoria is increased by minute 

 long, slender, thread-like sporidea, and when they fall on a fresh leaf surface, where 

 there is a little moisture, they soon germinate, bore through the epidermis, and give rise 

 to fresh spots. Spraying the trees with a simple solution of sulphate of copper, 

 1 pound to 25 gallons of water, before the buds unfold, and with a solution of 

 ammoniacal carbonate of copper diluted with twice the quantity of water just named, 

 when the leaves are about one-third grown, and two other sprayings at fortnightly 

 intervals, is recommended. 



The cherry also is sometimes infested in its fruit by Oidium fructigenum, already 

 alluded to under "Apple Diseases," page 36, and which will receive further attention 

 under " Peach Diseases." Yet another fungus destructive to ripe cherries is that 

 called Glseosporium Ia3ticolor, referred to under " Apricot Diseases," page 87, and 

 which will be figured under " Peach Diseases." 



ENEMIES. 



Cherries do not suffer so much from insect pests as the apple, pear, and plum, 

 yet they are subject to attacks by some of the most pertinacious and repulsive. 



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