Almonds 
Owing to climatic requirements the almond is grown on a commercial 
scale only west of the Rocky Mountains. Plantings are particularly 
extensive in California, 
Two fungus diseases are prevalent in all almond-growing areas. 
Brown rot is a serious disease of the blossoms. The fungus can 
materially reduce the size of the crop through the blighting of the 
blossoms. The other disease, called coryneum blight or shot hole, 
causes extensive gum production and killing of the blossoms, twigs, 
and branches. Both diseases are controlled by the use of copper 
sprays just before the blossoms open but after they have emerged 
from the winter buds. Occasionally in rainy springs a second 
application is required at the end of the blooming period. 
Apples 
Apple scab, a fungus disease, is perhaps the most important prob-~ 
lem facing apple growers east of the Rocky Mountains. The fungus 
is widely distributed and is a threat every year. The fruit is 
rendered worthless in severe cases, and even scattered infections 
result in misshapen, small fruit. The leaves likewise are invaded. 
The disease can be controlled by properly timed applications of 
sulfur or an organic fungicide. Apple blotch, black rot, cedar 
apple rust, bitter rot, sooty blotch, and fly speck also take a 
toll of the fruit in the East. These fungus diseases are more 
sporadic in occurrence than scab, but in favorable years can destroy 
appreciable quantities of the crop. Blotch and bitter rot cause 
more damage in the southern part of the Apple Belt. Most of these 
fungus diseases are of little importance in the more arid fruit- 
growing sections of the Far West. Apple mildew is extremely preva- 
lent, however, in the West and is very difficult to control, es- 
pecially on the Jonathan variety. Occasionally apple scab causes 
marked losses in western orchards, especially in seasons of heavy 
rainfall, 
Apricot 
The apricot, like the almond, is grown on a commercial basis only 
in the Far West. Most of the commercial acreage is in California, 
but large plantings exist also in Washington and Utah. 
Brown rot and shot hole (Coryneum) are universally present in 
these western apricot orchards. These fungus diseases are respon= 
sible for gum flow, blighting of the twigs and blossoms, and Coryneum 
also spots the leaves and fruit. These two diseases do most damage 
during the blossom period. They represent a constant threat to the 
industry, but can be held under control by the use of copper sprays 
in the dormant period. 
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