82 



Blight in Fruit Trees. 



[August, 



Fig. 2, — A stem two years old, from an apple tree in Mr. Pren- 

 tice's garden. 



a, dead band; forming a con- 

 striction of the branch. 



b, a layer of new bark formed 

 beneath "the old bark. 



c, living interior the wood o^ 

 last year, through \vbich the life 

 of tlie stem beyond the constrict- 

 ed portion is preserved. 



Fig. 3. — A short piece of a 

 branch; showing an area of dead 

 or blighted portion, in the centre 

 of which stands a dead stem. 



a, dead stem, dry and brittle. 



b, living interior, with a pro- 

 jecting point extending up to the 

 centre of the dead stem. 



c c,dead bark extending around 

 the dead stem. 



e e, living bark. 



This dead portion is a patch 

 about an inch and a half in 

 diameter, measured along the 

 stem. It does not, however, 

 embrace the whole of it or ex- 

 tend entirely around it; and 

 it is not unusual for the 

 blight to affect an area in 

 which there is a small branch 

 in its centre, or nearly so. 



(Fig. 3.) 

 Close observation upon the state of the weather, the character 

 of the winds, etc., seem to be highly important. We ought to 

 remark that the disease had appeared to have ceased its ravages 

 for three or four weeks preceding the 1st of August. Our heavi- 

 est rain for the season occurred on the 30th of July. The 

 heat of the three days after this heavy rain had been rather 

 oppressive; and now, the fourth day, the leaves of the branches 



