68 



SPRAYING CROPS 



blotches ; and as they grow older their color darkens, 

 finally becoming almost black. The upper surface of 

 the leaf is generally the one infested. Immense num- 

 bers of spores are produced on these blackened spots 

 of the leaf and fruit, forming most abundantly during 

 cool, wet weather. By means of these spores the 

 fungus reproduces itself ; they are carried from leaf 

 to leaf and fruit to fruit by wind and rain, and ger- 

 minating, start the disease in a new situation. The 

 spores pass the winter on stored fruit, branches, fallen 

 leaves, etc, and in spring start the disease again. It 

 is especially destructive in wet seasons. 



A disease called Pink Rot often attacks scabby 

 apples in storage, the fungus of the pink rot getting 

 access to the pulp of the fruit through the cracks in 

 the skin caused by the scab. 



Remedies — In spring, just before blossoms open, 

 spray thoroughly with the Bordeaux mixture, repeat 

 the application after the blossoms have fallen, adding 

 arsenate of lead at the rate of 2 pounds to 50 gallons, in 

 order to destroy the codling moth larvae, and other 

 insects, as well as the scab; ten days after this last 

 application, spray again with the combination of Bor- 

 deaux mixture and an arsenical. Do not apply the 

 Bordeaux mixture late in the season ; it is liable to 

 injure the skin of the apple by giving it a rough and 

 russet appearance. Fruit sprayed in this way is much 

 larger and finer than that not sprayed. 



In southerly latitudes, orchardists are greatly 

 troubled by another fungous disease, the Apple Rot, 

 which attacks the maturing fruit, rotting it and caus- 

 ing serious losses. Experiments in Kentucky by Pro- 

 fessor Garman have shown that this disease may be 

 prevented by treatment with Bordeaux mixture similar 

 to that indicated above. 



