No. 4.] THE CULTURE OF THE PEAR. 309 



always desirable to maintain; and, in addition to cultivation and 

 fertilizing, pruning becomes an important factor. 



Pear Blight. 



This is the most serious disease to which the trees are subject. It 

 is caused by a microbe, which attacks the young growth and often 

 the blossoms. The only remedy is to cut off all affected wood as soon 

 as the disease shows, cutting several inches below the discolored parts. 

 The spread of the disease is often from the old wood. The large 

 branches will be affected, and it is shown in patches of dead bark. 

 The most effective time to prune for blight is in the winter. All of 

 the large branches that show the blight should be thoroughly treated ; 

 the bark should be shaved so far as these patches show, cutting out all 

 affected parts, and disinfecting with sulphate of copper or diluted 

 carbolic acid. 



Blight has swept down the pear orchards so largely in all sections 

 of the country, and particularly on the Pacific coast, that the supply 

 of the fruit is now short, and prices aro ruling high for it. Eternal 

 vigilance, however, in cutting close and disinfecting, and particularly 

 the winter pruning, will control the disease and save the trees to a 

 large degree. Thorough spraying with the lime and sulphur or with 

 some of the sulphur preparations will aid in keeping the trees and 

 fruit free from fungous injuries. 



Insects. 



The pear is quite free from the many insects that prey upon other 

 fruits. The codling moth has to be dealt with, and arsenate of lead, 

 If pounds to 50 gallons of water, very thoroughly applied, will save 

 over 90 per cent of the fruit. This should be applied as soon as the 

 blossoms have fallen, and one very thorough spraying is sufficient. 



The pear psylla is one of the most persistent enemies of the pear. 

 It is periodical in its visitations, but often remains in orchards for ten 

 to fifteen years, by which time the trees are useless. Many die from 

 the injury done in six or seven years. 



By the use of the present power sprayers, and using one of the best 

 of the soluble oils, — and there is nothing superior to Scalecide, — 

 this pest may be entirely controlled. The oil will spread and work 

 down in the axils of the leaves and on the stems of the fruit, where 

 the young psylla work, and will destroy them. We had 2,000 trees 

 ruined after fourteen years of contest with this insect, working with a 

 hand pump. Had a power sprayer been brought out at that time, the 

 orchard could have been cleared of the insect in two years. 



The San Jose scale flourishes on the pear, but it may be readily 

 kept in check by the sulphur or oil spray, applied when the trees are 

 dormant. 



