RATIONAL FRUIT CULTURE. 75 



the usual practice has been to cut them off. But a complete 

 cure has been effected at the Boyal Horticultural Society's 

 Gardens, at Wisley, by pruning carefully before the buds 

 burst — in January, or early in February — and spraying 

 thoroughly with Wisley lacto-Burgundy mixture. 



Mildew. — Apple, Plum, Cherry. The disease shows as 

 a dense, white powder on the foliage in summer, and arrests 

 the growth of the shoots, the leaves being consequently 

 crowded together in rosettes at the top. The mycelium appa- 

 renly persists in such young growth as is made. When the 

 disease is mild, spray as soon as it is noticed with Bordeaux 

 mixture at half-strength; when severe, cut off and burn the 

 infected rosettes of leaves. Aphides are generally associated 

 with mildew, and should be destroyed. 



Plum-Leaf Blight. — Plum, Cherry. About May reddish 

 spots appear on the leaves, afterwards causing holes, the trees 

 being often defoliated early in the season. Spray with Bor- 

 deaux mixture at half-strength. 



Plum-Leaf Rust. — Plum, Cherry. Very similar to the 

 last disease, except that it does not cause holes. Same treat- 

 ment. 



Plum Pockets. — Plum. The fruit is malformed, wrinkled 

 and discoloured. As the mycelium persists in the young 

 shoots, spraying has hitherto been only temporary in its 

 effects. Infected shoots should be cut off and burned. Tha 

 fungus is closely related to the one which causes Peach-leaf 

 curl, so the same spray might be tried for it. 



Shot-Hole Fungus. — ^Peach, Cherry, and other stone- 

 fiuits. Numerous small, circular spots on the foliage, brown 

 on both sides, eventually dropping out. The leaves fall early, 

 and, in consequence, the next crop is a failure. A difficult 

 disease to cure. When the leaves begin to expand, and at 

 intervals afterwards, spray well with lime-sulphur wash. 



