BROWN ROT OF FRUIT 301 



Fruit attacked by the fungus does not readily rot, but 

 remains in a mummified condition throughout the winter, 

 either lying on the ground, or frequently hanging on the 

 tree. During the winter, the mycelium, which permeates 

 every portion of diseased fruit, forms numerous minute, 

 blackish sclerotia. On the return of spring, these sclerotia 

 bear a crop of spores, which are carried on to the young 

 leaves, and a recurrence of the disease ensues. 



A, 



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w?*^^ ' , 



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Fig. 79. — Monilia fructigma. i, an apple badly diseased ; 

 A a pustule of the fungus, X50 ; 3, chains oi Monilia spores, 



X200. 



Preventive Means. — The mycelium is not permanent 

 in any part of the host ; consequently every spring the trees 

 are perfectly free from disease, and would remain so if not 

 inoculated by spores derived from the diseased fruit of the 

 previous season ; hence all diseased fruit should be collected 

 and burned. Where the disease has already existed, the 

 trees should be thoroughly drenched with a solution of 

 sulphate of iron in early spring before the buds expand ; 



