348 



PEAR GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



Cutting Method. 



This method consists in the removal of diseased wood from the trees. 

 In order that results may be satisfactory the work must be done with 

 great care, and experienced blight cutters are in demand. The job is 

 not one for the careless or negligent man to attempt, but is one for a 

 specialist. 



The first rule to be observed in blight cutting should be : as far as 

 possible remove every case of blight as soon as its presence is detected. 

 Failure to do this may mean the loss of trees and much fruit as well as 



FIG. 146. Specially made tool which may be conven- 

 iently used in the removal of blighted portions of trees. 

 (Photo by Fred K. Howard.) 



endless labor and expense. Already a description has been .given of 

 twig blight. Very often twigs will be affected and the disease will die 

 out before reaching any of the larger branches. Because of this fact 

 the cutting of affected twigs is sometimes neglected. Such neglect is 

 fatal and no pear grower can expect to meet with success in controlling 

 this disease who neglects the twig blight. It is true that the disease may 

 be so common in all orchards during certain seasons that much labor and 

 expense will be required to remove it. This does not excuse the 

 orchardist from using every effort to do so, as neglect at this time will 



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