70 PIGTOBIAL PBAGTIGAL FRUIT GROWING. 



previous chapter. I have often known so simple a thing as a coat of manure 

 check canker. 



In the early stages of the disease much good may often be effected by 

 cutting out the diseased portions with a sharp knife or chisel, and then 

 dressing with Stockholm tar. I have thus operated on hundreds of trees, 

 and while on the one hand I have never seen a solitary instance of injury 

 accrue, I have in many cases known direct benefit follow. Every particle 

 of diseased and unwholesome-looking tissue should be cut out, and the 

 Stockholm tar (which may be purchased quite cheaply at any gasworks) 

 applied with an ordinary paint brush. 



Gum. — This disease is common to the three principal stone fruits — 

 Plums, Cherries, and Feaclies. Supporters of own-root fruit trees have an 

 argument in their favour here, for " worked" (i.e. budded or grafted) trees 

 are, I have observed, the likeliest to go off. Experience among the 

 extensive stone fruit orchards of Kent teac-hes me that there is more vigour 

 and longevity among natural than worked trees. The drawback to the 

 former is that they are much longer becoming fruitful than worked trees, 

 and we cannot do without these. 



Young trees that become badly affected should be removed and 

 destroyed. Isolated branches or shoots of lurger trees may be out out and 

 burnt. When, however, a tree of some years' standing gums badly, and 

 then throws out clusters of stem shoots — the two things accompany each 

 other too often to be without connection — get another ready ; it will be 

 wanted. Growers must not be misled on the score of fertilisers. In the 

 case of gum they often represent a waste of money, aggravating rather than 

 relieving the malady. A strong and hardy rootstock is^the.thing to aim at. 



Iiichen and Moss. — These are enemies, and serious ones, though not 

 insects. By rendering the tree foul they greatly impair its health. The 

 Calif ornian wash of caustic soda and pearlash. No. 11 in the list of washes 

 on page 79, will be found the best remedy ; and with a preliminary scraping 

 by means of a piece of hoop iron even bad cases may be cured. It should, 

 however, always be remembered that lichen and moss are much the worst in 

 cold, undrained soil. 



Mealy Bug.— Gardeners dread this pest, and well they may, for if 

 once it gets a firm hold it is most diflacult to get rid of. An early attack 

 is of the greatest importance. Vigorous syringing is very good practice, for 

 so simple a thing as cold water has its effect if applied hard and often. As 

 an insecticide, see No. 5, page 78. 



Ked Spider. — This tiny pest causes trouble with more than one class 

 of fruit, both under glass and in the open. It worries the Grape grower, 

 and gives the Gooseberry cultivator many an anxious hour. It thrives in 

 an arid atmosphere, and does its worst when the plants which it is attack- 

 ing are in difficulties owing to drought, lloisture is a great help in keeping 

 red spider in check. With a moist, buoyant atmosphere under glass it has 

 very little encouragement to spread. In Ihe garden a, deeply worked soil, 

 kept loose on the surface, is of advantage, because it holds moisture. 

 Mulchings of manure are also good. For a wash, see No. 5, page 78. 



Seal}, — This fungus attacks both leaves and fruit. As in the case of so 

 many other pests, the encouragement of healthy, wholesome, vigorous 

 growth is the best preventive. Should the disease appear, attack if early 

 with No. 7 or No. 8, page 79, ■ t f ■■ ■ r 



