Sometimes blight affects fruit trees so severely 



you cannot cut away all blighted parts without 

 killing the trees. In these cases, it is often effective 

 to paint the cankered or diseased areas with a for- 

 mulation of zinc sulfate. However, because this 

 chemical can injure the healthy tissues next to 

 treated areas, you should apply it carefully. 



To prevent secondary infection by other or- 

 ganisms in tree parts that yon have pruned, treat 

 wounds and cuts larger than 1 inch in diameter 

 with a tree-wound dressing. 



After making each cut, dip the pruning tools in 

 diluted household bleach (sodium hypochlorite). 

 Mix 1 cup of 5.25-percent commercial bleach with 

 I) cups of water. Because this solution will corrode 

 metals, wash tools in water each day at the end of 

 pruning. Tools then should be dried and oiled to 

 prevent them from rusting. 



Spraying and dusting 



You can supplement pruning and the applica- 

 tion of zinc sulfate paints with a spray of weak 

 bordeaux mixture. This is prepared by mixing 2 

 pounds of copper sidfate and (> pounds of hydrated 

 lime in 100 gallons of water, or two-thirds table- 

 spoon of copper sulfate and tablespoons of lime 

 in 1 gallon of water. 



A commercial copper spray mixture may also be 

 used. Mix '2 pounds of 53-percent commercial for- 

 mulation in 100 gallons of water, or 1 table spoon 

 in 1 gallon of water. Also, a copper-lime dust mix- 

 ture may be used; mix 20 parts finely ground cop- 

 per sulfate with SO parts hydrated lime. 



Copper-base sprays or dusts applied to fruit 

 trees during or after spring blossoming may cause 

 the fruit to russet (develop rough, tough skin). 

 To minimize this when sprays are used, apply 

 sprays only when they will dry quickly. 



The antibiotic, streptomycin, is one of the most 

 effective materials known for control of tire blight. 

 Begin antibiot ic sprays as soon as color is detected 

 in the flower buds and every 3 to 5 days until the 

 petals fall. Continue applications at 7- to 14-day 

 intervals following the bloom period. Stop spray- 

 ing apples 50 days before harvest and pears 30 days 

 before harvest. Early evening and nighttime appli- 

 cations of antibiotics provide better fire blight con- 

 trol than daytime applications. 



Antibiot ic sprays are partially absorbed by plant 

 foliage which may cause some yellow-green mot- 

 tling of the leaves (chlorosis). This mot- 

 tling disappears only after you stop using the 

 antibiotic. 



PRECAUTIONS 



Pesticides used improperly can be injurious to man, 

 animals, and plants. Follow the directions and heed all 

 precautions on the labels. 



Store pesticides in original containers under lock and 

 key — out of the reach of children and animals — and away 

 from food and feed. 



Apply pesticides so that they do not endanger humans, 

 livestock, crops, beneficial-insects, fish, and wildlife. Do 

 not apply pesticides when there is danger of drift, when 

 honey bees or other pollinating insects are visiting plants. 

 or in ways that may contaminate water or leave illegal 

 residues. 



Avoid prolonged inhalation of pesticide sprays or dusts : 

 wear protective clothing and equipment if specified on the 

 container. 



If your hands become contaminated with a pesticide, 

 do not eat or drink until you have washed. In case a 

 pesticide is swallowed or gets in the eyes, follow the first 

 aid treatment given on the label, and get prompt medical 

 attention. If a pesticide is spilled on your skin or clothing, 

 remove clothing immediately and wash skin thoroughly. 



Do not clean spray equipment or dump excess spray 

 material near ponds, streams, or wells. Because it is diffi- 

 cult to remove all traces of herbicides from equipment, do 

 not use the same equipment for insecticides or fungicides 

 that, you use for herbicides. 



Dispose of empty pesticide containers promptly. Have 

 them buried at a sanitary land-till dump, or crush and 

 bury them in a level, isolated place. 



note: Some States have restrictions on the use of cer- 

 tain pesticides. Check your State and local regulations. 

 Also, because registrations of pesticides are under con- 

 stant, review by the I'.S. Department of Agriculture, 

 consult your county agricultural agent or State Extension 

 specialist to be sure the intended use is still registered. 



Prepared by 



Crops Research Division 



Agricultural Research Service 



(/ufte^te^^ 



Washington, D.C 



Revised October 1970 



For sale bv the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Ooverninent 

 Printing Office, Washington. D.C. 120402 - Price 10 cents 



GPO:1970— 0-388-379 



