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6, Treat all pruning cuts that are too large to heal over in one or 

 two Seasons. A commercial tree wound paint is satisfactory and 

 so is homemade Bordeaux paint made by mixing Bordeaux powder with 

 water or linseed oil. Retreat the larger wounds at intervals 

 until they heal over. 



7. Remove dead bark and rotting wood from cankers or large wounds, 

 where infections may start, and keep them treated with tree wound 

 paint or Bordeaux paint at regular intervals until they heal over. 



C. J. Gilgut 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPHS 



Pear Decline 



Paul F. Sharp, Director, University of California Agricultural Experiment 

 Station reports in an article in California A griculture , Volume 15, Number 1, 

 January 1961 that 150,000 California pear trees have been killed by pear decline 

 since the outbreak. These trees were mostly 30 to 40 years of age. He stated 

 that from the experience in Washington it is highly probable that all pear trees 

 on Oriental rootstocks, and a certain number on imported French, may be killed 

 eventually by the decline. 



The cause of pear decline and factors affecting its spread and development 

 have not been definitely proven. The February 1961 issue of the Blue Anchor 

 published by the California Fruit Exchange contained a reprint from Oregon' s 

 Agricultural Pr ogress and Oregon State College in which the cause of pear decline 

 was discussed. It was stated that decline is probably caused by one or a com- 

 bination of several things - faulty cultural practices, a fungus disease, a graft 

 union disorder which may be a virus disease. 



Paul F. Sharp in the article in California Agriculture stated that at 

 present the only practical means of controlling pear decline is by replanting 

 on resistant rootstocks. There is evidence that Old Home pear roots are not 

 affected by pear decline. 



---William J. Lord 



Weed Control in Cultivated Blueberries 



Although there are other materials which can be used for weed control in 

 cultivated blueberries, Diuron is probably the most useful. Applied in early 

 spring at 2 pounds per acre, it will keep most weeds, except witchgrass, deep 

 rooted perennials, and a few annuals such as plantain, out all seasons. This 

 material should be used only on plants which have been one or more years in the 

 field and is most effective if applied to a field which has already been freed of 

 weeds. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the container. 



John S. Bailey 



