Apple 



( til ) 



Apple 



it is better to lift them, shorten back the long, 

 whip-like roots, and replant. Established trees 

 should be operated on in the autumn. Make a 

 trench round the tree level with the spread of 

 branches and fork down the soil in the direction 

 of the stein ; cut back the strong roots, and drive 

 the spade under the ball to sever tap roots that 

 are working into the subsoil. Fill up the trench, 

 and tup-dress with spent manure to encourage 

 fibrous roots near the surface. In the case of 

 large trees the trench should be made only half- 

 way round one year and completed the second. 



Gathering. When trees are carrying heavy 

 crops it, is advisable to remove a portion of the 

 fruit when large enough to use, and leave the 

 remainder to finish. That left will be larger, and 

 tlere will be no undue tax on the energies of the 

 tijee. The fruits of early Apples which ripen on 

 the true should be picked oft' when they will leave 

 the branch with a slight upward pressure of the 

 hiuiil. Late keepers should not be allowed to 

 hung later than the end of October. Great care 

 must be exercised in picking to avoid bruising the 

 fruit. Store on shelves in a dry, frost-proof 

 cmi<artment, where an even temperature of about 

 id" can bf maintained. 



Manures. Applications of manure should be 

 governed by the condition of the trees. Old speci- 

 mens are improved and young ones assisted by a 

 <Mating of stable manure placed on the soil from 

 the trunk to the spread of the branches. Mulchings 

 are beneficial when trees are bearing fruit, and 

 the size is increased by applications of liquid 

 manure. Amongst concentrated manures bone 

 meal is excellent for heavy soil, applying it in the 

 winter or early spring at the rate of about 4 Ib. 

 per square rod, and lightly pricking it in. A good 

 mixture for a spring dressing is formed of 4 Ib. 

 superphosphate and 2 Ib. kainit per square rod, 

 hoed into the surface soil. In some instances 

 muriate of potash i.s more beneficial than kainit. 

 The application may be made as soon as the fruit i.s 

 set. to assist in its development. Weakly growing 

 trees are improved by a top-dressing of 1 Ib. of 

 nitrate of soda per rod, in addition to the above. 



Principal Enemies. 



A merit-ait in in lit (see AMERICAN BLIGHT). 



Blos*iH \\~i-i-ril (Aiithtniiimiix Pomomtii). This 

 destructive beetle is very small, of a dark brown 

 hue 1 , and possesses a long beak, which is used for 

 piercing the unexpanded buds of Apple and Pear 

 blossoms. Early in the spring the male flits about 

 aiming the trees in search of a mate, and as soon 

 as tlie blossom bud swells the female commences 

 to deposit her eggs. She makes a hole in the bud 

 with her long beak, and in it deposits a single egg. 

 The process is continued in other buds, and as one 

 beetle lays a considerable number of eggs, she is 

 the means of spoiling many flowers. As the 

 lilnssom buds expand white grubs with black heads 

 appear in the centre, and soon commence to eat 

 tin' stamens, pistil, and petals of the flowers. 

 When full feil the grubs assume the chrysalis 

 state, and early in the summer beetles are again on 

 the wing and feeding on the leaves. In the mean- 

 time the affected flower buds lose their freshness, 

 and eventually wither. In the autumn the weevils 

 leave their feeding ground to seek protection for 

 the winter, ami this they find in the crevices of 

 rough bark, ami under stones, leaves, and rubbish 

 near the trees, where they remain till the early 

 spring, when they emerge, and commence tin- 

 work of perpetuation. By adopting a s\stem of 



summer pruning many of the weevils may be 

 destroyed. Gather up dead leaves and litter from 

 round the trees and burn them. Limewash the 

 stems and lower branches. In bad cases spread 

 tarred cloths under the trees in the spring, and 

 shake the trees over them. This will dislodge the 

 weevils. 



Canker (Nectria ditissima). This dreaded 

 fungus is the bane of Apple trees, and though all 

 are liable, some varieties notably, Ribston Pippin 

 and Lord Suftield are more susceptible than 

 others. Its presence may be traced to various 

 causes, amongst which are wet, unsuitable and 

 poverty-stricken soil, abrasions of bark through 

 rubbing of branches, and other causes, and gaping 

 wounds resulting from attacks of American Blight. 

 Canker may often be prevented by planting suitable 

 varieties on well-drained soil, feeding adequately 

 and keeping down insects ; but in very bad cases 

 a cure is doubtful. When poverty is the prime 

 cause of the trouble the tree should be encouraged 

 to make free growth, and the following mixture 

 has proved to be beneficial : 



12 Ib. of superphosphate. 1 Ib. of sulphate of iron. 



10 Ib. of nitrate of potash. 4 Ib. of sulphate of lime. 



3 Ib. of nitrate of soda. 



Apply in January or February at the rate of 4 oz. per 

 square yard as far as the branches spread. 

 In its early stages the fungus may lie cheeked by 

 scraping the diseased parts with a knife, and 

 dressing with Stockholm tar. 



CotlUn Muttt (Carjiocapsa pomonella).'}i\i\s is 

 one of the worst of Apple pests, and the moth, 

 which is on the wing in the late spring, deposits 

 eggs singly in the calyx end of the fruit, and 



(iUEASE-HAXDIXG FOR WINTER MOTH. 



C Sin !!- sticky band on half-standard tree stem : /, 



collar of tree ; j, junction of branches with stem ; 



A, sticky band. 

 D Sim [ili- sticky land on bush or pyramid tree : /, butt 



of stem ; m, base of hea<l : n. sticky hand. 

 E Square I'niteil states nii-th -uanl of wood or of tin, 



made in t\vu parts: o, smear of cart rn'ase. 

 F Tin pliant with rim turned down outside : p, smear 



of cart grease. 



