FOR PROFIT. 149 



Rotting fruit on the ground, and dead twigs in the 

 tree aid the spreading of disease, and the production 

 of small weakly shoots, caused by over abundance of 

 ill regulated growth in the tree, are a direct invita- 

 tion to wandering spores to establish themselves as 

 permanent residents. Before treating of the various 

 diseases under the different species, we give a few 

 notes and remedies for troubles which are common 

 to all fruit trees. 



A healthy tree will not be subject to serious diseases 

 or insect pests which visit the strong and weak alike : 

 upon the former they are but troublesome, but upon 

 the latter, dangerous. Fungoid diseases are the most 

 serious with which the cultivator has to deal, but they 

 seldom attack vigorous-growing subjects. Cold winds, 

 damp situations, cause a check to growth, and give 

 the floating fungoid spores their chance, being always 

 more or less prevalent in the air. If it is found 

 impossible to remove the existing bad conditions of 

 water-logged soil or position, remove the trees else- 

 where or destroy them. 



A yearly winter painting of all trees will destroy 

 thousands of insects harbouring beneath the bark. 

 This practice, coupled with healthy roots, should free 

 the fruit growers from half the ills to which their trees 

 are heir. Mr. Massee, the great authority on fungoid 

 diseases, considers timely spraying should make these 

 troubles impossible, as they are all amenable to 

 treatment. 



Ants. — These are frequently very troublesome in 

 Fruit Houses. If scalding water " is placed in their 

 holes copiously at intervals, it will kill them. If they 

 cannot be got at in this way, beer and treacle set in 



