462 
There have been great differences of 
opinion regarding the amount of damage 
resulting in the orchard from planting 
diseased trees. Some writers have claim- 
ed that affected trees never become profit- 
able and that great losses occur among 
them. Undoubtedly the effects of more 
serious maladies such as root rot which 
may affect galled trees, have often been 
confused with crown gall injury. Care- 
ful investigation shows that the effects 
of the disease in orchards are not as seri- 
ous aS some have supposed. Loss does 
frequently occur, however, since galled 
trees are more liable to die the first year 
or two in the orchard than are unaffected 
trees. Many trees, on the other hand, 
seem to recover completely and grow into 
vigorous and profitable maturity. The 
writer has seen cases, however, where 
trees of bearing age were evidently stunt- 
ed and unprofitable because of the growth 
of hairy root or crown gall on the roots. 
The orchardist is urged, therefore, to set 
the healthiest trees obtainable. If for 
any reason it is deemed advisable to set — 
out diseased trees, galls and hairy root 
should not be cut out as the effect of the 
crown gall is likely to be less injurious 
than the results of such wounds made 
when the tree is young. If an old tree 
affected with crown gall appears healthy 
and is profitable, it is not recommended to 
remove the tree or to cut off the galls, 
since there is little danger of the disease 
spreading seriously in an orchard and 
cutting out frequently results in greater 
Fig. 3. 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
damage to the tree than the presence of 
the tumor. If, however, a tree is rendered 
unprofitable, it had better be removed, 
although the grower might try thorough 
cutting out of the galls. and disinfecting 
and painting over of the wounds, a meth- 
od which is rarely a complete success as 
it is ordinarily practiced. In districts 
where fire blight is prevalent, it has been 
found that crown galls afford peculiarly 
favorable points of entrance for the bac- 
teria causing the blight, much damage 
having frequently resulted in this way. 
In such districts, therefore, it is recom- 
mended to remove a strip of bark an inch 
wide around the base of the gall and then 
cut out the entire gall, being sure to re- 
move every portion of it. The exposed 
surface should then be washed with a 
solution of corrosive sublimate. 
Stone Fruits 
Of the stone fruits the peach is most 
frequently mentioned as seriously affected 
by crown gall. It would appear that 
crown gall has usually a very much more 
disastrous effect on peach trees than 
upon apples. The root system is often so 
affected that the diseased tree cannot es- 
tablish itself in the orchard, or, suc- 
ceeding in that, fails to become vigorous 
and profitable. Never plant a galled tree. 
Prunes are known to be affected with 
the disease, but most of the cases on trees 
grafted on peach roots. Cherries and 
other stone fruits are also subject to at- 
tack. Cases of recovery from crown gall 
Ore. E.nyp Sto. 
Crown Galls on a Loganberry Stalk. 
