14 
hauled away and burned, or better, cut up and burned on the spot, thus 
avoiding any possibility of spreading the disease through the grove. 
It has been abundantly proved that trees planted where blighted 
ones have stood are not more likely to contract the malady than any 
others in the vicinity, and in no case are they liable to blight before 
they begin to bear. 
The practice here recommended of extirpating all cases as they 
appear is now largely followed by those who have had the most experi- 
ence with blight and who know the uselessness of supposed remedial 
treatmeuts. In ali badly infected regions concerted action is highly 
desirable, but even if this can not be secured the grower should not 
be deterred from eradicating the diseased trees from his own grove. 
Aside from the fact that such a course probably lessens the spread of 
the malady, it is the cheapest and best policy. 
DIE-BACK OR EXANTHEMA.! 
The disease of the orange and other citrous fruits commonly known 
as die-back is widely distributed throughout the orange region of 
Florida, but is not known to occur in any other part of the world. The 
name ‘“‘die-back” originated from the behavior of trees affected, a few 
inches of the vigorous new growth dying back in early spring. The 
disease is not much feared by growers, because it is apparently not con- 
tagious; but while the damage it causes in a single grove may be slight, 
the total loss, on account of its very widespread occurrence, is nearly 
as great as that resulting from any other disease affecting the orange. 
The malady is well known to most orange growers, but is generally 
poorly understood. It was first accurately described by J. H. Fowler? 
in 1875. When and where it first appeared has not yet been deter- 
mined. Growers have known of its occurrence for years, presumably 
ever since orange culture became common in the State. 
The damage caused by die-back is much greater than is usually 
estimated. Many groves have suffered for years from slight attacks 
of the disease, the damage.being caused mainly by the excessive drop- 
ping of the fruit and by the coarseness and staining of that which 
remains on the trees. In some severe cases, due to improper fertiliza- 
tion and cultivation, groves have been badly injured and almost the 
entire crop of fruit lost. Frequently much loss is incurred by planting 
trees on improper soils and continuing to cultivate and fertilize them 
for years after they contract the disease. Almost every grove in the 
State has a few cases of this disease. Trees growing in the vicinity of 
'From the Greek efavOyua, meaning an eruption or pustule. 
?Fowler, J. H., On the Die-back in Orange Trees (Proceedings of the Florida Fruit 
Growers’ Association, annual meeting January, 1875; reprinted: Florida, its Scenery, 
Climate, and History, Sydney Lanier, 1876, J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, 
Appendix, pp. 281-290). 
