The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-16
APPLE AND CHERRY PESTS.
The Dead Spot ON the Apple and the
Cherry Gummosia.

Among the various pests and diseases
that our fruits and trees are subjected to
here. perhaps none are so prevalent at
tie present time, or so Injurious In their eff
fects, as what Is known as tho dead spot
OF the bark disease. affecting the apple
tree principally. and less commonly the
pear tree. IL Is now very common in most
localities In the Puget sound region. This
disease first appears at the close OF win
ter. or at the beginning OF the growing
season, tho tender bark OF tho trees show
Ing dark dead patches at first quite small
and rapidly extending In dimensions, and
at times entirely encsrcling the stem or
branch Of the tree. When this occurs OF
course all that portion OF the tree or
branch above the dead patch dies. But as
general thing these dead patches do not ex-
coed few inches in length and about
one-haif that IN width. II these dead
patches of bark are early I'm the season
slit with the point of knife In several
places to allow the exit of poisonous ex-
hzlations or the admission of the cxygen
of the atmosphere new wood and bark
viii invariably form and grow beneath
the old decayed tissue and the dead spot
will heal over and become effaced In a
short time.
The disease Is believed 10 he OF fungous
origin, and that sprays OF sulphate OF COP
per solutions viii act as q preventive A
yet but little Is known as TO the nature
remedies. There Is good ground for tha
belief however. that trees carefully spray
ed each season with the salt. sulphur and
lime solution. or other good fungicide, ara
comparatively safe from It's attacks. The
use of a strong alkaline or soap solution
as a winter spray il strongly recommend
ed because OF IT'S effect in leaving tho bark
OF the tree bright and clean. allowing the
presence OF the disease 20 be quickly mo-
tIced. when. by the sitting Of the bark.
It's evil effects can be guarded against or
avoided entirely.
OF the gummosis Of the cherry tree. or
the bursting of it's bark and the oxidation
OF gummy matter therefrofn. and which
IL by some thought TO be closely allied to
the bark disease OF che apple tree. still
less IL known Should the cherry be grown
upon a soil deficient In drsinnTe, or having
a hardpan or fmpervfous suhsoii forming
a pocket and heiding the wafer. the tree
soon gives evidence OF disease. and the
cumming shows a. one Of the FIRST symp-
toms. Experience teaches that there are
but few conditions Of SOIL etc. that seem
properly adapted to q continued healthy
growth of the sweet varieties Of the cher
~. the sour kinds being rnors hardy in this
respect. A loose and naturally thorough
ly drained soil IL Indispensable TO it,
healthy and perfect growth. Much more
success may be had With this fruit by top
working II upon the Mahalsb Wild variety.
as that Ii not 50 subject 10 the bark dis
eases. being more hardy and suited for
growing on a greater Diversity o. soils. The
higher and drier river valley soils are tha
best adapted for successful cherry grow
Ing, the trees Ia such soil and situation
being comparatively free from the attacks
Of disease or insect pests
Secretary state Board of Horticulture.