New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 3438 
can be secured from which definite conclusions may be drawn. 
However it is a matter of common observation that in the major- 
ity of instances the disease is not nearly as prevalent in orchards 
that have been well sprayed with Bordeaux mixture for several 
years past as it is in those that have not been sprayed. Judging 
from the success with which many other plant diseases are com- 
bated it is reasonable to expect beneficial results to follow sys- 
tematic spraying with Bordeaux mixture as a preventive of the 
canker. 
In localities where canker is abundant special attention should 
be paid to the sanitary condition of the trees. Perhaps one of 
the most important considerations is to see that the trees are not 
crowded and that they are pruned so as to admit sunshine and a 
free circulation of air. The old bark is not shed as freely from 
the limbs and trunks of trees that are densely-shaded and the 
moisture collecting in this bark is not easily dried out; thus 
faculative parasites like the canker fungus as well as saprophytic 
fungi find congenial surroundings. 
The practice of scraping and whitewashing the trunks and 
branches of fruit trees has largely fallen into disfavor, but it is 
certainly a commendable practice and should be adopted in locali- 
ties where canker is severe. However, washes that are less con- 
spicuous and equally, if not more effective, than whitewash are 
now recommended; the following formula has been satisfactory to 
some orchardists: 
WASH FOR TREE TRUNKS. 
RRM OURS ee eee eres 5s, 2 miley 6 «alesse tt ae wee 1 pint. 
RM ERLE ONT Us PEE. TRL Pes OI ON Ves os 3 pints. 
RNR ME ete Bet is) Sc lati Ok chs coe mi hig cate » ory « 4 gallons. 
PU ATONE Bhd. tt ae shai? a chnia am 09, 5 Mane ofocene oooh sone To thicken as desired. 
Dissolve the soap in hot water, then stir in the lime. When 
the ingredients have been reduced to a smooth state by stirring 
dilute with water to four gallons, then stir in wood ashes till the 
wash is of the desired consistency. 
Other formule equally as good as the one given are in use, but 
