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STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



for the black-kuot, and have every reason to think it will prove 

 successful. I made the application several times last year, and 

 where I tried it the knots dried up, and were easily removed, 

 leaving the surface somewhat hardened but not injured. I have 

 also cut away the knot and then applied carbolic acid in the shape 

 of carbolic soap, putting it on as I would grafting wax, with good 

 resulte. I propose to try both next season. My belief is that 

 the turpentine will do it. I simply saturate the knot with the 

 turpentine without cutting. 



Mr. Gilbert. If it is caused by an insect wouldn't the turpen- 

 tine be likely to kill the insect ? 



Mr. Sawyer. If caused by an insect, I think either the turpen- 

 tine or the acid would kill the insect. If it is a fungus, I think 

 the carbolic acid would kill that. I believe that it is a property 

 of this acid, that it is the deadly enemy of fungus of any sort. 



Mr. Smith. Is this black-knot an insect of parasitic growth ? 

 If it is a parasitic plant it attaches itself to certain kinds of trees. 

 When the trees are smooth and glossy it don't stick as it does to 

 a furzy growth. I know that on cutting apart the black-knot we 

 generally find an insect there, but I have always thought that an 

 insect laid its egg in the knot after the plant made it. 



Mr. Fehnald. You have noticed that the investigations of Mr. 

 Reed, which I have incorporated in my paper, regard the fungus 

 as a consequence, and not the cause — that the cause is insect 

 depredations on the tissues of the plant or tree ; while another 

 person whom I have quoted says that the fungus is the result of 

 spores, which attach themselves to the tree. Mr. Reed says, they 

 may be produced on the tree or come on it from another source 

 through the operations of the microscopic insects. I have seen 

 no theory that in my opinion is so well substantiated. 



Mr. Gilbert. Do you succeed in making cherry trees bear well ? 



Mr. Ferkald. I have taken no particular pains. I have had no 

 method of pruning. I have merely given them a good chance to 

 grow, taken pains in setting them out, and keeping the ground in 

 proper condition. They bear very well. Several of my trees were 

 purchased two years ago. Last season there were four or five of 

 them that bore fruit. They were of the usual size of nursery trees. 

 Several of them have grown remarkably well. One increased four 

 inches in diameter in the two years. 



Question. Is it high land ? 



