Brown Rot of Fruit. 



527 



copious crop of spores, which are dispersed by various agencies, 

 and the disease repeats itself. 



It has long been suspected that the Monilia represented but 

 one stage in the life-cycle of the fungus ; this supposition has 

 proved to be correct, the second or ascigerous form of fruit 

 having been found growing abundantly on old half-buried 

 peaches in several orchards in different parts of the United 

 States, where the fungus proves quite as destructive as with us. 



Preventive Measures. 



All dead twigs and shrivelled fruit, whether hanging on the 

 tree or lying on the ground, should be collected and burned 

 during the winter. 



After the diseased fruit and dead branches have been removed, 

 the trees and also the ground should be thoroughly drenched 

 with a solution of sulphate of iron, prepared as follows : — 

 Sulphate of iron ... ... ... 25 pounds. 



Sulphuric acid ... ... ... 1 pint. 



Water 50 gallons. 



Pour the sulphuric acid upon the sulphate of iron, then add 

 the 50 gallons of water by degrees. A barrel is the best vessel 

 to use ; a metal vessel must not be used, as it would be acted 

 upon by the sulphuric acid. 



Spraying with the above solution should be done in January 

 or February, before the leaf-buds begin to swell in the least, 

 otherwise the foliage and blossom will be destroyed. 



When the leaf-buds are expanding, and at intervals as 

 required, the trees should be sprayed with quite weak Bordeaux 

 mixture. 



The above line of treatment must be followed for at least two 

 seasons. 



Explanation of the Figures. 



1. A diseased shoot with the persistent blossom of the previous 

 year ; cut from the tree in February. Both twig and flower- 

 stalks bear tufts of the fungus. Nat. size. 



2. Cherry leaf attacked by the fungus. Nat. size. 



3. An apple recently attacked, and showing the fungus grow- 

 ing in concentric rings. Nat. size. 



4. Fresh cherry blossom attacked by the fungus. Nat. size. 



