72 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



in that case canker appears round their bases. 

 As soon as this is observed, the dead shoot should 

 be cut in very closely to the branch from which 



12 3 4 



Fig. 870.— Canker in Apple branches. 

 1, Injurj' caused by branches rubbing: a common wound, favouring the invasion of 

 canker. 2, An early stage in canker, probably due to improper pruning leaving a rough 

 exposed surface. Excision and dressing a possible remedy in this case. 3, A more 

 advanced stage of canker injury; excision still possible, but the results doubtful. 

 4, Branch practically destroyed, entire removal the only course. 



it springs, the cankered wood and bark cut away, 

 and the wound dressed with tar. If this is 

 done when the tree is in full growth, the wounds 



Fig. 871.— Canker in Apple branches: various stages of healing after excision and dressing. 



1, A slight injury, nearly healed. 2, A larger wound, healing proceeding favourably. 3, A 

 very long wound, branch healing slowly. 4, A large stem and deep wound, healing but 

 leaving an unsightly scar. 



will heal rapidly. If canker appears where the 

 soil has not been drained, draining should be 

 immediately proceeded with, and beneficial re- 

 sults will certainly follow. Severe and untimely 



pruning unquestionably favours the attacks of 

 canker. If it attacks varieties that are not 

 usually subiect to it, and if the trees have not 

 suffered from any of the above- 

 mentioned causes, the evil may 

 reasonably be attributed to some 

 defect in the soil. If the canker 

 is evidently increasing, and if 

 the trees are not too old for 

 removal, they had better be 

 taken up, and the soil amelior- 

 ated by trenching and other 

 means. In some cases a con- 

 siderable portion of a bad sub- 

 stratum may be turned up to 

 the top, where it will be com- 

 paratively harmless, and besides, 

 by exposure to the weather, and 

 by cultivation, it must there 

 undergo a change for the better; 

 and when the soil turned down 

 from the top to the bottom is 

 reached by the roots of trees, 

 the latter generally thrive well. 

 Mildew frequently attacks the 

 foliage of the Apple, and some- 

 times the extremities of the shoots. The soil 

 should be examined, and care taken that it is 

 not at any time too dry at the extremities of 

 the roots. Taking up the tree, 

 trenching the ground, and re- 

 planting, have often proved 

 beneficial. 



Moss and lichens should be 

 scraped off, but it is better if 

 the trees can be made to thrive 

 so well as to throw off the old 

 bark, moss and all, as we have 

 seen ill -thriving, moss-grown 

 Apple-trees do, in consequence 

 of draining the soil. After 

 scraping the bark, brushing 

 the branches with a solution of 

 soft soap and caustic soda, well 

 working it in, has been found 

 an effectual remedy. 



Insects. — For information re- 

 specting the insects that attack 

 the Apple see chapter xi., in 

 which the following are treated 

 upon : — 



Bark Enemies. — American 

 Blight, Apple Mussel Scale, Wceberian Tortrix. 

 Bud and Flower Enemies. — Apple Blossom 

 Weevil. Fruit and Seed Enemies. — Apple Saw- 

 fly, Birds. Leaf Enemies. — Apple Aphis, Brown 



