lis cause, and a remedy for it. 455 



but little poison exists, may succeed after a while in reject- 

 ing the evil, and recover. Where much enters the system, 

 the tree must die ; and with a suddenness proportioned to 

 the amount of poison circulated. 



14. A rich and dry soil would be likely to promote early 

 growth, and the tree would finish its work in time ; but a 

 rich and moist soil, by forcing the growth, would prepare 

 the tree for blight ; so that rich soils may prevent or pre- 

 pare for the bhght, and the difference will be the difference 

 of the respective soils in producing an early instead of a 

 late growth. 



IV. Remedy. — So long as the blight was belived to be of 

 insect-origin, it appeared totally irremediable. If the fore- 

 going reasoning be found correct, it will be plain that the 

 scourge can only be occasional; that it may be in a degree 

 prevented ; and to some extent remedied where it exists. 



1. We should begin by selecting for pear orchards a 

 warm, light, rich, dry and early soil. This will sucure an 

 early growth and ripe wood before winter sets in. 



2. So soon as observation has determmed what kinds are 

 naturally early growers and early-ripeners of wood, such 

 should be selected ; as they will be least likely to come un- 

 der those conditions in which blight occurs. 



3. Wherever orchards are already planted : or where a 

 choice in soils cannot be had, the cultivator may know by 

 the last of August or September, whether a fall-growth is 

 to be expected. To prevent it, I suggest immediate root- 

 pruning. This will benefit the tree at any rate, — and 

 will probably, by immediately restraining growth, prevent 

 blight. 



4. Whenever blight has occurred, I know of no remedy 

 but free and early cutting. In some cases it will remove 

 all diseased matter; in some it will alleviate only; but in 

 bad blight, there is neither in this, nor in any thing else 

 that I am aware of, any remedy. 



There are two additional subjects, with which I shall 

 close this paper. 



1. This blight is not to be confounded with vnnter-kill- 

 ing. In the winter of either 1837 or 1838, in March a 

 deep snow fell, (in this region,) and was immediately fol- 

 lowed by brilliant sun. Thousands of nursery trees per- 

 ished in consequence, but without putting out leaves, or 

 lingering. It is a familiar fact to orchardists, that severe 



