JuJy  9,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTUP^E  ANT)  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
41 
the  stem,  and  then  entering  through  the  bark  directly,  the  entire 
stem  of  the  tree  should  be  painted  with  the  following  composi¬ 
tion  :  — Reduce  softsoap  to  the  consistency  of  thick  paint  by  the 
addition  of  a  strong  solution  of  washing  soda  in  water.  Add  11b 
of  powdered  quicklime  to  every  5  gals  of  the  dissolved  soap,  and 
stir  the  whole  until  thoroughly  mixed.  Apply  to  the  trunk  Avith 
a  paint  brush,  being  cai’eful  to  cover  every  part.  This  mixture 
is  tenacious,  not  .easily  dissolved  by  rain,  and  usually  lasts  for 
one  season  if  properly  made  and  applied. 
Up  to  the  present  the  disease  has  only  been  observed  on  a 
large  scale  where  the  trees  are  groAving  in  stiff  clay.  Under  such 
conditions  it  is  very  important  to  aAmid  deep  planting,  otherwise 
the  roots  are  liable  to  be  killed  owing  to  the  presence  of  stagnant 
water,  lack  of  air,  Ac.,  during  a  continuous  rainy  period, 
especially  in  spring  or  early  summer.  If  the  trees  are  not 
actually  killed  by  this  means  alone,  Avhich  is  A'ery  frequently  the 
case,  their  vitality  is  considerably  weakened,  and  they  are  thus 
rendered  more  susceptible  to  the  attacks  of  parasitic  fungi.  In 
a  case  of  an  extensive  attack  which  the  Board  of  Agriculture 
investigated  in  the  county  of  Nottingham  in  1902,  the  trees  had 
evidently  been  seriously  crippled  by  being  planted  too  deep  in  a 
strong  soil,  and  were  consequently  specially  susceptible  to  attack. 
It  is  important  that  the  fungus  should  be  recognised  by  gardeners, 
as  its  frequent  occurrence  on  wild  trees  in  hedgerows  might  lead 
to  the  infection  of  nursery  stock  in  a  wholesale  manner,  as  has 
in  fact  taken  place,  more  than  once,  unless  detected  and  removed 
without  delay.  All  diseased  plants  should  be  burned  at  once,  as, 
if  allowed  to  lie  about,  the  spores  mature  on  the  dead  Avood,  and 
are  scattered  by  wind,  a  risk  of  further  infection  being  thereby 
incurred. 
The  Board  of  Agriculture  AA’ould  be  glad  if  recipients  of  this 
leaflet  would  make  it  known  to  others  interested  in  the  subject. 
Copies  may  be  obtained  free  of  charge  and  post  free  on  applica¬ 
tion  to  the  Secretary,  Board  of  Agriculture,  4,  Whitehall  Place, 
London,  S.W.  Letters  of  application  so  addressed  need  not  be 
stamped. 
1.— Eutipella  prunastii ;  spore-bearing  form  of  reproduction  on  an  Apple  tree 
stem.  Nat.  size. 
2  —Spores.  X  COO. 
3. — Second,  or  ascigerous,  condition  of  fungus-fruit  on  Plum  stem.  Nat.  size. 
4. — Section  through  a  group  of  ascigerous  fungus-fruits  embedded  in  the  bark. 
X  50. 
6. — Ascus  containing  eight  ascospores.  X  400. 
6  — Median  section  through  portion  of  the  stem  of  a  young  Apple  tree,  showin 
where  the  fungus  had  entered  through  the  unprotected  ends  ©f  pruned  shoots. 
'I  he  mycelium  of  the  fungus  had  discoloured  the  bark  and  wood,  and  Anally 
burst  through  the  bark  to  the  surface.  Nat.  size. 
