PRUNING 97 



tie of solution of corrosive sublimate of one to 

 one thousand strength. This is a powerful dis- 

 infectant (and poison), and is to be used to 

 sterilize the pruning tools after having used 

 them in removing any suspiciously dead tissues. 

 It is well to paint some of this same solution 

 over large wounds to prevent blight infection. 



A still better method of treating large wounds 

 is to paint them with good lead paint which has 

 been rendered antiseptic by the addition of cor- 

 rosive sublimate at the rate of one ounce to the 

 gallon of paint. The chemical should first be 

 dissolved in a little turpentine before mixing 

 with the paint. 



There is some difference of opinion about the 

 proper time to prune the apple. Some growers 

 insist that the work may be done at any season 

 of the year. While this is true we might also 

 say that we could spray at any season of the 

 year — we can, if we do not care about the re- 

 sults. Some experiments have tended to show 

 that wounds healed equally well if made during 

 any month, but experimental evidence is not 

 always conclusive. Theoretically the best time 

 to prune is late in the winter and just before 

 growth starts in the spring. Wounds made at 

 such a time should be expected to heal better 

 and more quickly than if made at any other 

 season and I have found this to be true in 

 practice. 



