286 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION. 



cut off and burnt. The best preventive remedy is to spray 

 the tree with Bordeaux mixture before the flower-buds 

 open, and again at intervals during the summer. 



Canker (Nectria ditissima). A disease which is, un- 

 fortunately, too common, especially on fruit trees grown 

 in badly-drained or damp soils. Careless pruning also 

 contributes to the development of this disease. The fun- 

 gus first develops in any wounds or cracks in the bark, 

 and gradually causes the decay of the tissues. The wounds 

 caused by an infestation of American Blight are frequently 

 attacked by this fungus. The ultimate result of an 

 attack is the complete decay of the bark and the death 

 of the branch. Badly attacked trees should be burnt, as 

 there is no possible cure in such a case- Where the attack 

 is only slight, cut off the diseased branches, or pare away 

 all diseased parts to healthy tissue, and then paint the 

 wounds with Stockholm tar. Sorts like Cox's Orange, 

 King of the Pippins, and Lord Suffield are especially liable 

 to canker attack if grown in damp soils; therefore plant 

 these only on well-drained soils. 



Coral Spot Disease (Nectria cinnabarina). This disease 

 flourishes mainly on dead wood, but it will develop on 

 living trees if there are any fractures in the bark. Its 

 appearance may be easily detected by a colony of bright 

 coral red spots on the bark. All dead wood covered with 

 red spots or warts should be burnt ; and in the case of a 

 living tree cut off and burn all diseased parts, then paint 

 the wounds with Stockholm tar. 



Apple Blotch (Phyllosticha solitaria). A disease which 

 attacks both the leaves ant3 fruits of the Apple. It appears 

 in the form of yellowish or brownish patches on the leaves, 

 also as cankery warts on the shoots, and frequently causes 

 the fruits to crack. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture 

 before the flower-buds expand, again when the' petals have 

 fallen, and at frequent intervals during the summer, is the 

 best remedy for this disease. 



