Evening journal., 1900-07-07
GREAT RAVAGEN
Oh FIRE BLIGHT
Thought to be Due to Prevail
Ing Weather Conditions
Enemy to Pears is a Minute Germ
That Grows in the Tender Parts
Of the Tree


Pear blight, popularity known as fire
blight" is a disease which has made
unusual ravages during the present
season, probably because Of prevailing
weather conditions. Heavy rainfall
high temperature and humidity, at and
following the blossoming, are condi-
tions favorable to its spread. The
weather is not, however, the direct
cause Of the blight, but only a favoring
condition.
The blight is caused by a minute
germ, so small that it would take 15,O0l /
of them arranged end to end to omeasure
an inch. These germs grow in the /
tender parts Of the tree; blossoms, |
buds, young shoots, leaves, fruit and
the inner bark OF the smaller and
larger limbs.
The existence Of the disease is |
marked by a browning and later a
backening Of the parts. More COM
monty we note black terminal shoots
bearing clusters Of jet black leaves. |
From these terminal growths the
blight extends downward TO the larger
branches and limbs. Also from the
branches and larger trunks we may
note one or many short spurs an inch
or two in length, which are similarly
affected.
From these the disease may extend
into the tree, often attacking the larg-
est limbs. It is the entrance Of the dis
ease through these short leaf or fruit
spurs simultaneously at a large num-
Der Of points, which causes a tree tOl
suddenly succumb to the fire blight
Fruit growers frequently observe a
/ line of blight extending across an Or
] q "a ri Il TO
vince many that fire blight is caused
by a sudden blast of the elements. The
fact is that the trees are already af-
fected at a number of points, although
they may show no gross manifestations
/ Of the trouble. until a series of thun-
/ der storms with intervening hot humid
weather causes a vigorous multiplied
tion of the germs within the tissues of
the tree, and the blight with all its dire
manifestations appears like the thief
in the night, to alarm and confound
us.
Remember that the spread Of fire
blight is a perfectly natural process.
and there is no mystery connected with
it, although there is something yet to
be learned as to all its modes of en-
trance into the parts of the tree
/ In the nectar of blossoms which have
/ sprung from the blighted limbs the
germs Of fire blight have been found,
When these blossoms are visited by
insects, the bodies of the latter become
contaminated by the germs which are
then carried to the ether healthy flow
ers. Hence bees and other insects be-
come the most actiev agents in the
spreading fire blight
The blight may also find entrance
fhTnnnh
/ leaves and fruit, by the puncture Of in
sects whose mouth parts are contami-
mated with germs Thus the agents OF
infection are multifold and persistent,
and while the blossoming period is the
one when the maximum infection oc-
ours, there is no time during the grow
ing season when some part of a tree
may not become infected Rapid sue
culent growth is very susceptible to
blight. hence TO force the growth OF
pear trees by undue cultivation, or by
the use OF nitrogenOus fertilizers sim
ply opens them to greater opportunities
for infection. There is little doubt that
this intensive system in recently hOrti-
b culture is responsible for much Of the
increase of blight Of the present time.
l would. therefore, advise the prun-
ing Of terminal buds, so as to prevent
r the development Of succulent shoots OF
2 new wood. and to throw the growth
= into the fruit spurs.
} The minimum of cultivation or keep
7 ing Of the orchards in sod for a num-
{ Der Of years.
The discontinuance Of ammoniated
g fertilizers and the liberal use OF potash
e either muriate, kainit, or wood ashes
Vigorous and persistent efforts mus
also be made to fight the disease wher
it appears.
Z All diseased parts should be cut out
i as soon as they appear. IL is not suf
/. iicient to cut Immediately below whcr,
p the healthy and disease wood join
r otherwise portion Of apparently
healthy wood will be left which con
tains the germs and which will con
tinue to spread Cut not less than 4
inches below this point
Remember. too, that if pruning
knives or shears cut into disease,
y wood, they may infect healthy wood
hence the instruments while in us
should be kept wet by dipping in a
per cent. solution of carbolic acid. !
ID is also advisable to smear the cut end
q Of the larger limbs with crude carboli
a acid or carbolized tar
Id The brush from the removal. O
10 pllghted wood should he burned an
re not left under the trees as is common
y ly the case. The pruning should b
rt done throughout the growing season
e. and once in the Winter, so as to remov
ne all "hold-over" blight.
A. The general healthfulness OF pea
OF trees will be increased by sprayin
is them several times during the yea
and to prevent body trouble popular
ly known as "canker. brush the bcdie
Of the trees with a very thick Boz
er deauX mixture, made by taking the ol
IL dinary mixture and adding enough al
ditional lime to bring to the consist
n ency of whitewash.
n The control and eventual annihils
n tion of blight depends upon united q
nv fort. One negligent fruit grower wi
of undo the efforts Of a dozen Garrett
ones. and the injured persons shou
or have recourse to law TO force action @
of the part of those who fail 10 take stel