4. PLANT DISEASES DUE TO FUNGI. 



BROWN ROT. 



Sclerotinia frnctigena, Pers. 



Throughout the whole of the seven Midland counties cases of 

 Brown Rot have been reported. It is difficult to say whether this or 

 the disease known as " Black Spot " on Apples is more prevalent, 

 but it is perfectly certain that unless patient and persistent effort is 

 made to eradicate these two diseases, the cultivation of fruit for profit 

 will be almost impossible within a very short time. 



In Worcestershire the Brown Rot disease has been very marked 

 during 1910, and considerable quantities of fruit have suffered. 



The disease is well known to fruit growers in all its stages. 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



It is much to be regretted that spraying for this and the following 

 disease is not made compulsory by the Board of Agriculture, whose 

 recommendations are as follows : 



" All dead twigs and shrivelled fruit, whether hanging on the 

 tree or lying on the ground, should be collected and burned during the 

 winter. 



After the diseased fruit and dead branches have been removed, 

 the trees and also the ground should be thoroughly drenched with a 

 solution of sulphate of iron, prepared as follows : 



Sulphate of iron ... ... 25 Ibs. 



Sulphuric acid ... ... ... i pint. 



Water ... ... "-50 gallons. 



Pour the sulphuric acid upon the sulphate of iron, then add the 

 50 gallons of water by degrees. A barrel is the best vessel to use ; 

 a metal vessel must not be used, as it would be acted upon by the 

 sulphuric acid. 



Spraying with the above solution should be done in January or 

 February, before the leaf-buds begin to swell in the least, otherwise 

 the foliage and blossom will be destroyed. 



When the leaf-buds are expanding, and at intervals as required, 

 the trees should be sprayed with quite weak Bordeaux mixture. 



