>J2 STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 



to let the old, diseased tame cherry trees die and cut them up by 

 the roots, and plant out large numbers of the best new sorts. 



In my researches for information relating to the black knot on 

 cherry trees, I have found several modes of prevention and cure 

 recommended, but only one writer pretends to give a hint of the 

 source of the disease, or prescribes any remedy for its prevention 

 or radical cure. I find in the Fruit Recorder for August, 1872, a 

 short article purporting to be a conversation between a gentleman 

 and a lady, in whose garden he had noticed black knots on the 

 plum trees. In reply to a suggestion that it was caused by a "fly 

 puncturing the bark and laying its eggs inside," &c., be says : 

 "No, it is not that. It is a plant, a black plant of the fungus 

 family, prej'ing upon the tree and sucking the life out of it. What 

 is smut in our corn, rust on our wheat fields, is black knot on our 

 plum trees. And it kills great numbers. The seeds of it float in 

 the air. When a good chance oflers, they lodge on the limbs of 

 some favorite tree and stick to it, take root, spread and grow, and 

 spread until they become tlie unsightly things called ' Black Knot.' 

 People try to cut it off witli a sharp knife, but it is of no use. It 

 will kill the tree, and nothing can stop its work of ruin. * * * 

 But there is a prevention. Potash in the soil will make a glassy 

 coating on the straw of wheat and the stems of the trees, which 

 hardens them against the attacks of the fungi. It as much as says 

 to the bad seeds floating around and trying to find a place to stop, 

 ' No you don't; we don't allow any soft or weak spots for you to 

 get hold of!'" 



A correspondent of the Ilassachusetfs Ploughman, under date of 

 March 4, 1871, says of the black knot on plum trees : "Out them 

 off immediately ; they will spread all over the tree if left. I have 

 a nice row of cherry trees. Three years ago a few black knots 

 appeared on the limbs. I intended to cut them off, but neglected 

 to do so, and the following spring the tree was covered (nearly) 

 with them ; also many appeared on the tree next to it. The tree 

 never leaved out again, but it is now dead. I cut off everything 

 that showed signs of black knots from the row, and I think they 

 are saved. I cut open several of the knots and found them filled 

 with small worms or grubs. I think they are as dangerous to a 

 plum or cherry orchard as epizootic aptha is to cattle. Brother 

 farmers, be sure to cut them all off and burn them." 



I also notice a brief prescription for the cure of black knots, 

 credited to the Canada Farmer, as follows : " Take a paint brush, 



