APPLE DISEASES 15 
especially dreaded. A large harvest may be totally lost in a 
few days. Bitter-rot has probably done more to discourage 
apple-growing in many regions than all other fungous and in- 
sect pests combined. 
The losses resulting from this disease are of two sorts; namely, 
injury to the fruit, and injury to the limbs. Affected fruits are 
rendered worthless, so far as their market value is concerned, 
the decay-process being rapid and complete. The amount—ef 
the losses incurred in some years has been so great as to cause 
many apple-orchardists to abandon the business. Instances 
are on record where bearing apple-orchards have been leased 
at $5 an acre for a period of five years, the grower choosing to 
be guaranteed this small sum rather than venture getting 
nothing from his trees on account of the bitter-rot disease. It 
is estimated that in four counties in Illinois the loss due to this 
disease was $1,500,000 in one season. Single growers some- 
times lose 10,000 to 20,000 barrels of apples, while the damage 
to the apple-crop of the United States in 1900 was estimated at 
$10,000,000. Bitter-rot cankers are destructive, like other 
cankers, in that the bark is killed. In many cases limbs are 
girdled and death of the affected member results. 
Not all apple-varieties are affected alike. In Virginia the 
Yellow Newtown (Albemarle Pippin) is preeminently the great- 
est sufferer. On the other hand, the Winesap is conspicuous 
because of its resistance. The Ben Davis is said to be one of 
the most susceptible varieties in the Middle West ; in Virginia, 
however, it shows a comparatively slight tendency to rot. 
Along the Atlantic seaboard the York Imperial and the Grimes 
are regarded as relatively resistant. The Willow and Hunts- 
man are listed as susceptible in Missouri and Illinois. 
Symptoms. 
Bitter-rot may be expected to show on the fruit at any time 
from June to October, although July and August are bitter-rot 
months. The time of the first appearance varies with the geo- 
