Peach. 329 



tend. The disease is more severe upon early varieties, and in 

 the middle Atlantic states the fungus is extremely prevalent 

 and serious. It causes the rotting of the fruit about the time 

 the period of ripening begins. It increases rapidly in warm, 

 moist weather, and peaches which touch each other are among 

 the first to suffer from the disease. This is mainly due to the 

 fact that a certain amount of moisture is retained at the point 

 of contact, and with such favorable conditions the fungus 

 easily succeeds in gaining an entrance. Cherries and plums 

 also suffer from the disease, and in the same manner; the 

 sweet, soft-fleshed varieties of cherries are especially susceptible. 

 The affected fruit turns brown and appears as if decayed ; it 

 then becomes covered with an ash-colored coating which consists 

 of myriads of spores, each one capable of spreading the disease. 

 The fungus also attacks the small twigs, causing their death 

 (Fig. 66). It is no uncommon sight to see dried peaches, 

 plums, or cherries attached to the branches upon which they 

 grew, the latter having been destroyed by the disease as well 

 as the fruit. It also appears certain that the blossoms may be 

 affected and ruined, so that no fruit will set. This disease, 

 therefore, should be closely watched and thoroughly controlled. 



Treatment. The treatment here described applies practically 

 also to plums ; but cherries cannot be treated so often, as the 

 fruit matures earlier. (1) The first application should be 

 made, in badly infested districts, just before the buds begin to 

 swell ; at this time spray with a simple solution of copper 

 sulphate, using one pound to twenty-five gallons of water. 

 (2) While the buds are swelling, spray with the Bordeaux mix- 

 ture. (3) Repeat the second when the fruit has set. (4) When 

 the fruit is grown, spray with the ammoniacal carbonate of cop- 

 per, using one ounce of copper carbonate to twelve gallons of 

 water. (5) Repeat the fourth application at intervals of six or 

 eight days until the fruit is harvested. It is only in very few 

 localities that such measures need be adopted ; in the majority 

 of cases the third and the fifth recommendations will suffice. 



Curl ; Leaf Curl ; Trenching (Ezoascus deformans, Fuckl.) . 

 Description. The name "curl" has been given to this disease 

 on account of the appearance of the affected leaves. As soon as 

 the first leaves have become grown, they frequently show a 

 curled or puckered appearance (Fig. 67) ; the ridges may 



