555 
In the spring, when sap pressure run through the tree, the 
blighted parts are recognised by the mcist and fresh appearance of 
the bark, as contrasted with the old and dry Laik of the mevicrs 
summer. The gum exvdes frcm varicvs pcints, and rine dcwn the 
tree in long lines, when Lees and ctl.er ireecte vh ch are attrected 
by it carry the microbes to tl.e blosscms, where they gain an easy 
entrance into the healthy tissues under the bark. These blcssoms 
soon wither and die. Tender twigs are often inoculated bv nibbling 
insects, and show signs of the blight. An observer in California 
relates a successful check consisting in the ease of infected trees 
of slitting the bark clear round the tree once, a day or two before 
blossoming—a wide girdle might injure the tree. This stops the 
flow of sap for a day or two and causes the blossoms to wither and 
fall off, thus the bees are unable to carry the infection from those 
blossoms. Infested branches are also cut and burnt. This de- 
stroys the fruit crop for a vear or if rerewcd for two, krt after a 
few years the disease runs its course, looses its virulence and dies 
out and the trees recover. 
Some observers contend that because the microbe flourishes 
best in tender tissues; anvthing which tends to luxuriant growth of 
the tree, such as pruning, manuring, cultivating, are to be depre- 
cated ; and thev advise leaving it to the trees to fight their own 
pattles. If this be the correct treatment, it is time, labour, and 
monev wasted to grow apples, pears, and ovinces in those places 
where the disease is prevalent, as stunted, hungry trees are even 
less profitable than blighted ones. 
Little is known as vet concerning the kest means of combating 
this bacterial disease. Until the results of well planned out ex- 
periments have proved the contrary, I would recommend deep and 
good cultivation, and fertilising with gypsvm, potassic and phos- 
phatic fertilisers. efficient deep drainace, carefully evtting cff all 
diseased branches and twigs, and burning them in the winter, care 
being taken to cut into healthy wocd and to disinfect the secretion 
on the knife after going over a diseased tree. Lastly—and I be- 
lieve that much good can then be done in checking the spread of 
the fire blivht—spraving the diseased trees at frecrent intervals 
with an antiseptic solution in the spring, during that period when 
the infected sap oozes through the bark, and is taken up and carried 
about by foraging insects. 
Amongst the sprays which are likely to be attended with good 
results, I would recommend a two per thousand solution of cor- 
rosive sublimate, or a weak carbclic acid solution. 
As a vehicle for these powerful disinfectants, a decoction of 
eucalyptus (blue gum leaves) would prokably be found helpful. 
The leaves should be bruised when freshly gathered, and soaked in 
tepid water—llb. of leaves to one gallon of water—then, with the 
addition of the substances mentioned above, the decoction should 
