igo Apple "Scab" or "Black Spot." [June, 



be cured by winter washing alone ; the protection of the leaves 

 by the Bordeaux mixture spray, described below, is always 

 necessary. It is scientifically and economically sound to 

 wash for apple " scab " in winter only those varieties of trees 

 whose wood has been ascertained to be severely " scab "- 

 infested. 



It is to be noted that apple " scab " when present to even only 

 a moderate degree, not only destroys the appearance of the 

 apple to a marked extent, but also affects most injuriously its 

 keeping qualities. " Scabby" apples, when stored, soon begin 

 to rot. The flesh of the apple at the place where the " black 

 spot " or " scab " exists becomes gradually soft, and lets in 

 the spores of the various fungi (" moulds," &c.) which are 

 floating about in the air. The spores of these fungi on 

 once gaining an entrance quickly invade the flesh of the 

 apple and turn it rotten — forming the so-called " ripe rots " 

 of stored fruit. Fig. 9 shows apples which are beginning to 

 rot at the " scabby " places on the skin ; in the figure to 

 the left the " rot " is commencing round the uppermost 

 " black spot " or " scab " — which is now turned white through 

 the growth of the " mould " which has attacked the apple at 

 this spot; in the apple to the right the " rot " has proceeded 

 further, as is shown by the sunken area now existing round 

 the place (originally a " black spot" or "scab") where the 

 "mould" has gained an entrance. In past seasons I have 

 seen in more than one orchard in Kent " scabby " apples 

 being thus attacked even when hanging on the trees. 



Remedies. — Apple " scab " can be easily and cheaply 

 controlled by systematic spraying with Bordeaux mixture. 

 The first application should be made on the young unfolding 

 leaves just before the blossoms open. This is a very necessary 

 operation, as I have repeatedly seen, at the time when the 

 apple blossom is out and when consequently no spraying can 

 be done with safety, the " scab " fungus beginning to spread 

 over the surface of the young leaves and forming spores ready 

 to infect the young fruit as soon as it is set. 



The second spraying should be given directly the blossom 

 has fallen. This will protect all the leaves as soon as possible 

 after they have unfolded. 



A third spraying should be given two or three weeks later 



