168 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



damage. The outlook for next year (1883). as at present indicated, 

 is not encouraging, but no one can certainly predict the results. 

 Certain it js that the trees are now badl}' infested, and with similar 

 conditions a similar development may be expected. 



The important question is, '■'Can anything be done to reduce the 

 damage?" I cannot, with assurance, say "yes." But some ex- 

 periments on a small scale seem to be sufficiently encouraging to 

 plan for further and more extended trials. The thing to do, of 

 course, is to kill the fungus and prevent its reappearance, F'rom 

 what has been said the most favorable time for treatment is in the 

 winter, when the leaves are off, and the applications should be made 

 to the .voung wood. 



The suggested trials are, first, pruning away any unnecessary 3'oung 

 growth and especially that most affected, then syringing the tree with 

 an emulsion of kerosene oil made with soap and water. To prepare 

 this, mix equal quantities of soft soap, or hard soap softened with 

 water and heat, and common coal oil ; stir vigorousl}^ and for at least 

 five minutes, then add ten to twenty times the quantity of water, 

 and again stir. The result should be a uniform milky fluid. Apply 

 in any way so as to wet the bark of the last year's growth, or, lor 

 thoroughness, that of two years' production. No fears need be en- 

 tertained of injury to the tenderest part of the tree if the emulsion 

 is well made. It can be applied, if desirable, to the leaves, but there 

 is much less surface to wet before these appear, and it is much easier 

 to reach it. 



Coal oil of itself is injurious to vegetation, but when made into an 

 emulsion, and thus diluted, no fears need be entertained about its 

 use. Still, it may be in this State quite destructive to such fungus 

 growths as that of which we write. 



Sulphur has been recommended for similar use, but in this case 

 little good can be anticipated from it, at any rate, if applied in winter. 

 The sulphur itself does not kill fungi, because it is insoluble, but the 

 beneficial effect comes from the gases, products of which it forms a 

 part. In the winter these are not formed, while the rains wash away 

 the solid material. Kerosene, on the other hand, is as efl^ectual in 

 cold as in warm weather, and kills b}^ direct action. 



There is another thing that ma}' be mentioned in favor of the oil 

 emulsion : It is also destructive to insects, and, wherever they may be 

 reached, to their eggs. It is probable that the eggs of the apple 

 aphis, which are deposited in autumn on the twigs, maj' be destroyed 

 in this wa}'. If so, we can kill two birds with one stone. 



