FRUIT GROWING PROBLEMS 123 



pirinum. This is probably the most general and widely distributed 

 of fungoid diseases attacking Pears. The disease is usually only 

 recognised on the fruit, the casual observer not noticing that the 

 scab first appears on the leaves and young shoots, from whence 

 the spores are washed by rain on to the fruit, which, as a rule, is 

 the last to be attacked. If the fruit is nearly full grown before it is 

 infected the spots formed by the fungus remain comparatively small 

 and cracking does not generally ensue. As regards preventive and 

 repressive treatment, the chief points to be attended to are : 1, all 

 diseased fruits, or parings of them, should be collected and burnedj 

 and it is good practice to gather and burn the leaves as soon as they 

 have fallen in the autumn, or bury them somewhat deeply in 

 the ground. 2, spray the trees with a solution of sulphate of copper, 

 1 Ib. of the sulphate to 25 gallons of water, or 1 oz. to li gallons. 

 This should be applied during the winter. 3, spray with a solution 

 of sulphide of potassium, dissolving 1 oz. of the sulphide in 1 gallon 

 of hot water, and in another vessel 6^ oz. of soft soap in a similar 

 quantity of hot, soft water. When both thoroughly dissolve, add the 

 latter solution to that of the sulphide of potassium, stir well, and 

 dilute to 6| gallons with cold, soft' water, mixing well. The spraying 

 with the solution should be as follows : First, just as the flower buds 

 begin to open ; second, when the petals of the flowers are falling ; 

 and third, when the fruit is the size of Peas or slightly larger. If the 

 season be rainy, a fourth treatment should be given twelve days 

 after the third. 



Pear Tree Cankered 



Q. The enclosed Pear is from a tree about twenty or more years 

 old, which is badly cankered. Can this be brought round to a 

 healthy state 1 It is now showing vigorous growth, but has suffered 

 from neglect in the past. Will you kindly tell me good solutions 

 with which to syringe large fruit trees for green fly, black fly, 

 American blight ? Surrey Subscriber. 



A. The Pear tree may be improved by root pruning and the 

 removal of a lot of surface soil. The latter must be replaced by new 

 loam and a mulching of rotted manure. Cut off the cankered shoots 

 quite close, and coat over the cut parts with Fir tree oil. To get rid 

 of American blight, dress the tree with a solution of I Ib. of caustic 

 soda dissolved in 1 quart of water, and 4 oz. of soft soap in a similar 

 quantity ; add the two together, and then dilute with 5 gallons of 

 rain water. The whole of the bark down to the roots of the trees 



