ANALYSIS OF UBPLIES TO QU/iSTmys HY FIlUlT-ttROWEIW. 



53 



These varied from 5 per cent, up to 85 per cent., and sometimes, as in the case of Cleopatras, they 

 were practically all affected. In susceptible varieties, one-half to one-fourth of the crop was given 

 as a loss, and sometimes 75 per cent, of the Cleopatras would he affected, while only 5 per cent, of 

 the other kinds suffered. The varieties specially mentioned as being badly affected were Cleopatra, 

 Annie Elizabeth, Prince Bismarck, Sturmer Pippin, Williams' Favorite, Baldwin, Northern Spy, 

 Shockley, and Lord Wolseley, and the loss sustained would be, approximately, one-half or one-third 

 the crop. 



Tn New South Wales only about one-fourth of the growers reported Bitter Pit as causing 

 serious loss, and 25 to 50 per cent, of the crop affected. Cleopatra and Lord Wolseley were the 

 varieties chiefly affected. 



In South Australia 8 out of 21 growers reported losses. It varied from 10 to 50 per cent., 

 one orchardist stating that over 30 per cent, of the Cleopatra apples were affected, and 12 per cent, 

 of the general crop. Another orchard in the same district was absolutely free from it, and the 

 reason assigned for its absence was " when pruning, do not top or cut apple trees back." The 

 varieties mentioned as being badly affected were Cleopatra, Northern Spy, Dumelow's Seedling, 

 Cox's Orange Pippin, Baldwin, Senator, Prince Bismarck, and Esopus Spitzenberg. 



In Western Australia only five growers reported any loss, and it varied from 5 to 30 per cent., 

 but in the Cleopatras it was worse. The varieties particularly mentioned as being affected were 

 Cleopatra, Sturmer Pippin, Shockley, Jonathan, Winter Majetin, Lord Wolseley, Rymer, Stone 

 Pippin, and Esopus Spitzenberg. 



Tn Tasmania seven growers reported a loss, from 5 up to 30 per cent., 20 to 30 per cent, being 

 about the average loss. The varieties principally mentioned as being affected were Cleopatra, 

 Sturmer Pippin, Ribston Pippin, Hoover, Scarlet Nonpareil, Annie Elizabeth, and Wellington. 



PREVALENCE OF BITTER PIT IN WET OR DRY SEASONS. 



That a wet season favours the disease is the opinion held by the great majority of orchardists 

 in Victoria. "Last season (1910-11) was absolutely the worst, which was a very wet season." 

 "Disease is worse every very wet season, when the fruit is overgrown." "Sudden excess of 

 moisture after dry winter will produce it. Not a consistent wet season." " The worst season 

 was 1910 11, being wet; the previous season being dry, very few apples were affected." "Two 

 t lungs are certain, viz., the disease is worse (1) if it is a dry year ; (2) if the crop be a light one." 



\\\ New South Wales some hold that wet seasons favour it, and others that it is more prevalent 

 in a dry season. " Have not noticed any season worse than another. Whilst in the Wagga District 

 we had dry seasons, and Pit was always present." " These last two seasons liave been the worst, 

 and one was wet and the other dry." 



.Mr. Edge)!, of Bathurst, states that 1910-11 was his worst season, and gives the summer 

 rainfall : — 



December, 1910 .. . . 2*7<> inches 



January, 1911 . . 3*85 

 February, 19] I 2*85 



Total .. 9*46 inches 



l lie average rainfall for eleven years was — 



December . . . . . . ! '88 inches 



January . . . . . . . . 2*04 



February . . . . . . 1 -04 



BO timi evidently a wet summer seatOD was most favorable in this instance. 



