16 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 5, 1833. 
generally in the form of the peroxide. If my memory serves me 
correctly the soil of the fertile orchards of Herefordshire has nearly as 
large a proportion, therefore it is scarcely probable that the presence of 
iron oxide is the cause of the mischief. 
Iron in such a form as to be cipable of assimil ition by the plant is 
absolutely necessary for its growth, therefore it may be that the soluble 
sulphate may supply a deSciency. Dr. A. B. Griffiths in his treatise on 
manures (Loudon, 1889) records a number of successful experiments in 
its use, and I strongly recommend Mr. Kruse to study his book. The 
“ Aschen Analysen ” of Dr. Emil Wolff (Berlin, 1871 and 1880) is the 
great storehouse of plant analysis, but much that is useful on the same 
subject may be found in “ How Crops Grow,” by S. W. Johnson (New 
York, 1880). 
From the analysis contained in these books it appears that the Apple 
requires a large supply of lime and soda and a full proportion of 
phosphoric acid, potash, ani magnesia ; therefore, 1 can only advise that 
the land be dressed with a manure compounded of superphosphate, 
potash, magnesia, and gypsum. I should have added soda if the soil had 
not already been regularly supplied with that element, and I think that 
sulphate of iron at the rate of from half to one hundredweight per acre 
might be added with advantage. 
The Apple trees in my own garden treated in a similar way have 
ceased to canker, the only signs now present of the disease being scars 
of old wounds. I believe canker to be a disease of mal-nutrition 
resulting from deficiency in the soil of what is required by the tree, 
and not from the presence of anything injurious to its growth.— 
E. Tonks. 
HAEDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Winter Cleansing: Fruit Trees.— The importance of thoroughly 
cleansing the stems, branches, and surroundings of fruit trees during the 
winter months is often overlooked. There are many enemies of trees 
which can only be successfully extirpated during the dormant season, 
when greater efforts can be put forth and stronger remedies applied to 
effect their destruction. Therefore, where many of the worst and most 
persistent of these pests are only too glaringly apparent, now is the time 
to attempt an effectual and complete riddance. Washes, insecticides, 
and solutions of various kinds are great aids in freeing trees of many 
evils, and rightly applied, with the necessary patience and perseverance, 
they assist the cultivator to cleanse trees readily and expeditiously. 
.A.merlcan Bllgrbt. —When trees are infested with this unsightly 
pest it is sometimes difficult to eradicate it. The white, cottony sub¬ 
stance which conceals, the insect gives, in badly infested cases in the 
course of time, a most obnoxious appearance to the trees. The bark 
becomes contorted, and there is an absence of that clean and healthy 
freshness which trees in vigour and fertility display. In such cases 
there is also the danger of the pest attacking the roots, which it often 
does with the same malignity with which it infests the branches and 
stems. To some it is known as American bug, but though it has a great 
resemblance to the mealy bug so troublesome to plants under glass, it is 
totally different to that insect, which belongs to the scale family, the 
American blight being really an aphis, and is known as the woolly aphis. 
The insects, when crushed, stain the fingers and their downy covering 
with a red or pink colour. 
Remedies .—One of the best remedies for the above is the application 
of paraffin or petroleum. The least touch of this mineral oil means 
death to the insects. Its use, however, demands c \ie, as it is not safe to 
apply it so freely that it runs down the stems to the roots. The best 
plan of using it is to procure a clean but stubby paint brush, and dip it in 
a vessel of the raw oil; shake the brush sufficiently, so that none of the 
oil drops quickly from the bristles ; then work the brush into the 
crevices of the bark, and the insects will be destroyed. This is an easy 
and very effectual method of destroying the pest on slightly attacked 
trees. On larger trees, however, and those almost completely infested 
all over readier means must be adopted. In the first place dislodge as 
much of the aphis as possible with a garden engine. It is easily moved 
from the younger branches when a sufficient force of water can be 
delivered. This preliminary washing can then be followed by a petroleum 
emulsion, which is made by boiling a pound of softsoap in a gallon of 
water, then adding three more gallons of water and four wineglasses full 
of petroleum, thoroughly mixing the oil and softsoap solution with a 
force pump for several minutes. Distribute this solution over every part 
of infested trees, using it while the buds are dormant at a temperature 
of 120°. The stems and branches, which can be easily reached, may be 
well brushed with the solution ; also the strongest roots if attacked, and 
their exposure can be effected by removing the soil for facilitating the 
operations. 
. Scale. — Apple and Pear trees are most frequently infested with 
this kind of insect. Scale may be exterminated by scraping the infested 
parts, and thoroughly scrubbing with a strong insecticide. Encasing 
the infested stems and bianches in a coating of ice, by syringing the 
trees with water in frosty weather, is a means of freeing them of scale. 
which leaves the branches along with the ice when the latter melts. 
The upper parts of trees if infested may be sprayed or syringed with the 
hot petroleum emulsion recommended for American blight, and the 
lower parts thoroughly brushed with the same emulsion. A strong: 
solution of Gishurst compound may be used either with or wdthout 
petroleum, and it will be found effectual in destroying both scale and 
American blight. 
IWoss and Tlchen.— These aie very troublesome in some districts, 
especially where the situations devoted to fruit culture are damp and 
wet, owing to atmospheric conditions or badly drained ground. Drainage 
helps their disappearance ; but in the majority of cases it is necessary 
to destroy them by the application of some drastic remedy. Moss and 
lichen are not only themselves injurious to the trees but they harbour 
insects; therefore the sooner they are removed the better. Very rank 
infestations should first be partly cleared by scraping off the thickest 
portions. The trunk and main branches may be readily cleared by 
washing with hot lime or brushing them with brine. To coat the upper 
and smaller branches with limewash or to paint with brine is out of the 
question, but if infested with moss and lichen they must be cleansed by 
some means ; and finely powdered newly slacked lime distributed over 
the trees is a good remedy. Choose for this operation damp or foggy 
weather, the branches then being thoroughly wet on all sides. Mounted 
on a ladder as high as necessary, it is easy, by a few removals, to 
effectually cover every branch with a thin coating of powdered lime, 
which will readily adhere to their moist surfaces. That falling to the 
ground acts beneficially, so there is not the slightest waste. Limewash 
strained sufficiently fine so that it will pass through a syringe is 
another method of coating branches out of reach, and may be adopted 
with advantage in cases where the other method is not applicable. 
The lime acting on the moss and lichen growths will soon destioy their 
vitality, and repeated cleansings of the wood with a good force of water 
from a hose-pipe will restore the trees to their original healthy vigour 
and fertility. 
Aphides.— Every fruit grower knows how troublesome these insects 
are in summer to Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, and Cherries, 
especially on walls. Though not apparent now on the trees, it is pos¬ 
sible that colonies of eggs are lurking in crevices of old bark, among the 
folds of dilapidated nail shreds, and in holes and crannies of the brick¬ 
work of badly pointed walls. As the pruning operations are duly com¬ 
pleted, and all useless wood removed, it is advisable to thoroughly wash 
the walls with hot water, soap, and petroleum mixture, and to syringe 
every part of each tree with the same. If it is found necessary to be 
more precise and careful in cleansing the wood, then paint the trees 
with a brush, adding to the solution a little sulphur, which will help to 
indicate the progress of the operation by colouring the wood. Sulphur 
is also good as a deterrent of insects. In painting the wood operate 
upwards, so as to avoid the possibility of damaging valuable buds. 
Remove all old shreds and ties. Have the walls repointed where found 
necessary, and carefully refasten the trees with fresh material, using 
something of a strong enduring nature for the main branches. 
FRUIT FORCING. 
Peaches and Uectarlnes. —Earliest House .—The trees started 
at the beginning of December are now in flower, and if in proper con¬ 
dition there will be no difficulty in securing a good set of fruit. The 
temperature should be steadily maintained at 50° by day in dull, cold 
weather, 55° when mild but dull with a gentle c rculation of air, in¬ 
creasing the ventilation with the sun heat to 65°. On mild nights the 
temperature may be 45° to 50°, with a little air, but it may fall to 40*^ 
on cold nigbts. Avoid dampin-r in very cold sunless wea her, as a 
moderate moisture suffices. In bright weather the floor or border may 
be sprinkled in the morning, also early afternoon, and the toil should 
be thoroughly moist. Insure the distribution of the pollen by shaking 
the trees after the house has been ventilated a short time. A camel’s- 
hair brush or a feather, or a rabbit’s tail mounted on a small stick and 
drawn over the blossom when the pollen on the anthers is ripe and 
applied to the stigma of each flower, always secures a g-iod set in {.eifect 
flowers. Where there is a deficiency of pollen take it from those varie¬ 
ties that afford it plentifully, as the Early Albert or its race. Early 
Louise and Early Leopold, also Royal George and Stirling Castle 
Peaches ; of Nectarines, Elruge always supplies abundance of pollen. 
Carefully impregnate the blossoms when they are fully expanded. 
Second House .—If this house contains trees of .Alexander and Early 
Louise Peaches and Advance Nectarine, the fruit will be ripe early in 
May ; if Hale’s Early, Stirl'ng Castle, or Royal George Peachts, and Lord 
Napier Necta'ine, the fruit will not be ripe until the end of that month, 
while Elruge Nectarine will not ripen until the middle of June. Hale’s 
Early is not a good setter early forced, but pollen can be taken from 
Stirling Castle or Royal George, and Elruge serves the same purpose to 
Lord Napier. A succession of fruit can be had over two months by 
having all the varieties in one house, but it is not a good sjs'em, it 
being better to have two houses, one with the first named, Alexander 
and Early Louise Peaches and Advance Nectarine, the other con¬ 
taining the last mentioned, Hale’s E irly, Stirling Castle, or Royal 
Peaches, the last having the finest fruit, Lord Napier and Eiruge 
Nectarines, and start both houses together. The house having been 
closed, as advised in a former calendar, fire heat may be used to ma n- 
tain a temperature of 50° by day, and 40° to 45° at night, all win? it to 
rise to 65° by day with sun heat, accompanied from 50° with plenty of 
air, and there must not be any attempt at husbanding the suu heat at 
this stage, for a close atmosphere is fatal to the blossom. Sprinkle the 
trees on fine dajs in the morning and afternoon unti the flowers 
