Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-26
SUBSCRIBING OF TREES.
The Results OF northumberland
and Preventives Suggested.

The Results OF observation-disclosures
and Preventives Suggested.
In communication to the Pacific Rural
Press. State Inspector of Fruit Pests w.
G. Klee says:
For some years past rather mysterious
dying off of young trees has come under
my notice. Especially was this the case
two years ago. These trees were standing
on well-drained soil, and the theory that
bad drainage or unreasonable development
was the cause could not be applied to
them; moreover, they were perfectly
healthy below the root-collar In almost
every instance where | examined them a
minute beetle of the family of .Scoiytid9,
and seemingly closely allied to the pear
blight beetle of the Eastern States Xylo-
bOrus pyri, Peck is found tunnelIng
through the tree. Its work was, however,
different from the XylOborus, as it is con-
fined to the trunk or main branches, max
ing straight passages right through the
tree, and not tunneling around the
branches rs the blight beetle is said to do.
This year again there has been consid-
cradle complaint Of trees dying of, COM
plants coming from Santa Clara and Santa
Cruz counties especially, but in every in
stance all the facts of the case could not be
laid before me. About week ago, how
ever, discovered in a fve-year-old orchard
number of young apple trees, which had
started out vigorously, suddenly showed
signs of willing Examination proved
that the bark on the southwest side was
turning black, and that a state of fermenta-
ton Of the bark tissue clear to the albu-
men had set in. In cutting off the bark a
sour smell was very distinctly noticed, and
in nearly every instance the minute pas
sages of the small borer, looking like holes
/ made by pin, were visible.
Here then was distinct case such as
that reported so often, but in a stage where
its true cause, viz, sun-scald, seemed to be
clear for the following reasons:
/. All the trees were standing in the
hottest portion of the orchard, south
westerly slope.
3 The trees were invariably damaged
first on the southwest side, the decomposi-
ton spreading from this point. Gener-
ally, at the time of my examination, only
a strip varying from one-third to one-half
of circumference of the tree was affected.
8. All Of the trees affected were of one
variety (Esopus Spitzenburg), which was
the last to leaf out, and at the time of the
hot wave, in April, completely leahess.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REASONS FOR THE DAM
AGE.
During the rise of the sap in the spring,
a great deal of sugar is carried in solution.
By the intense heat burning the bark, por-
lions of the tissues are destroyed, the pas
sages becoming clogged, and fermentation
naturally sets in from this cause. The
minute beetle is attracted, its borings no
doubt helping to spread the decomposition,
which spreads very rapidly. To prevent
the total destruction of the tree, prompt
action is necessary.
REMEDY.
The only remedy which can have any
success is:
l. The partial or complete cutting down
of the tree to a few main branches, the cut
ting back to be done in proportion to the
damage on the main trunk.
=. The removal of all portions of the
affected bark clear to the wood, and to a
point where the tissues are not discolored,
and the covering of the denuded portion
of the tree with grating wax
PREvENTIvEs.
From the foregoing it seems clear that
the damage might be prevented by the
proper shading of the trunk, or covering it
with whitewash which would reflect the
heat. For this purpose a mixture of
whale-oil soap-say one-half pound to the
gallon added to the whitewash-weuld be
advisable The shading may be done by
placing Of shakes on the southwest side.
1t will be remembered that the damage is
accomplished during time when the trees
are leaiess and consequently low, of which
/ have always been an advocate. Stemmed
trees would not prove exempt.
| would add that cases of sun-scald have
come to my knowledge from all over the
State. and that all kinds of trees have suf-
fered, especially, however, apples, aprieots
and prunes.
To Draw or Write on Glass.
The Scientific american advises the use
of yarnish of sugar This is made as
follows: Dissolve equal parts of white
and brown sugar in water to thin syrup,
add alcohol, and apply to hot glass
plates The film dries very rapidly, and
furnishes a surface on which it is perfectly
easy to write with pen or pencil. The best
ink to use is India ink, with sugar added
The drawing can be made permanent by
vanishing with lac or mastic varnish.
ASGosTURA BITTERs are Endorsed by all
the leading physicians and chemists fer
their purity and who.esomcness. Beware
of counierteits, and ask your grocer and
druggist for the genuine article, prepared |
by DR.. J. e. &. SiegeTt & Sons.
He who has no vision Of Eternity will I
never get true hold of Time.-Ctrlgle. !