FRUIT DISEASES, 295 



CHAPTER VIII. 



FRUIT DISEASES. 



The Apple and Pear. 



Apple Mildew (Spaerotheca mali). This fungus appears 

 in the form of a dense white powdery film on the young 

 shoots and leaves of old Apple trees during the summer, 

 and seriously injures the growth. Spraying the tree as 

 soon as the disease is discovered with a solution of sul- 

 phide of potassium is the only remedy. 



Apple Scab (Venturia inequalis). A disease which 

 appears in early summer, mainly on the upper side of the 

 leaves, in the form of black spots. In due course the 

 spots become confluent, and form olive-coloured patches 

 on the leaves. The young shoots are also attacked. 

 Later the disease spreads to the fruit, and black sunken 

 scabs develop thereon ; the rind, or skin, also cracks, and 

 the fruit is consequently rendered unusable- The reme- 

 dies are, first of all, to cut off as far as possible all dis- 

 eased shoots, leaves, and fruits, and burn them. In 

 spring, just before the leaf-buds open, spray with Bor- 

 deaux mixture, and again with a weaker solution when 

 the leaves are half-expanded. 



Apple Rot (Gloesporium fructigena). This appears 

 on the fruit in the form ot pale brown spots under the 

 skin. Later sunken patches form, and the fungus de- 

 velops a series of small black points arranged in con- 

 centric circles. The result of an attack is the early 

 maturation and falling off of the fruit. The disease also 

 causes cankery warts on the shoots or branches. Needless 

 to say, all diseased fruits should be immediately burnt, and 

 any shoots having the cankery warts on them be also 



