AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 259 



of longer life than ours, we become naturally impatient to en- 

 joy the products, and hence these devices to hasten its season 

 of fruitage. Our course to this result is plain. Any expedi- 

 ent which checks growth without immediately endangering the 

 life of the tree will effect it. 



The ordinary and legitimate means to the end are dwarfing 

 (see that head), summer pruning in June and July, or root 

 pruning in August, or any other period of the year ; or we 

 may combine these means, if the health of the subject prove 

 obstinate. 



Whatever course may be chosen for the accomplishment of 

 our object should be accompanied by a free supply of manures 

 of such kinds as may not be calculated to stimulate mere wood 

 growth. See Manuring Fruit-trees. 



On the other hand, if we would strengthen a tree, or any par- 

 ticular part of it, we ought not to allow it, or that particular 

 portion of it, to bear fruit ; we should avoid summer pruning, 

 and carefully invigorate it by liberal shortening at the winter 

 pruning. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Diseases of Fruit-trees. Insects injurious to Fruit and Fruit-trees, with 

 Keraedies. Washes to destroy Insects. 



DISEASES OF FRUIT-TREES AND FRUITS. 

 FRUIT CRACK. 



THIS is first indicated by the stunted appearance of the 

 fruit, especially on one side, upon which a black crack or 

 "chap" opens. It is accompanied by dark blotches upon the 

 fruit, which are probably formed by the growth of a minute 

 lichen, the fruit becoming ill-looking and worthless. 



This disease, or effect of disease, is found in the pear, par- 

 ticularly the Virgalieu ; in the quince also, and sometimes in 

 the apple. It seems to arise from a deficiency in the supply 

 of appropriate food, and is generally curable by manuring and 

 careful culture. It may always be assumed that fruits subject 

 to it require and will bear high cultivation. 



