The Delta independent., 1907-11-08
ROOT RIOTS.

trees AUeCCeu Will fOOC IIOuDle6. An
early ripening of the foliage or slight
of the leaves on all or part of
the tree is often the first sign Of dis
tress. OF course, an early ripening of
the foliage is not always an indication
that the tree is affected with root rot.
which tends to interfere with
the feeding processs Of the tree may
cause the foliage to yellow early in the
fall. The orchard should be carefully
inspected at this season Of the year and,
If time will not permit Of anything
further. all suspected trees should be
marked to be promptly looked after as
soon as the rush of harvesting the crop
is over
Any plant disease which works upon
the parts of the plant below the sur
face Of the ground is hard to combat.
In nearly all cases the farmer resorts
to the rotation of crops, but this is i'm
possible In the case of the fruit grower.
Apparently two unidentified forms of
root rot. due to the attacks Of fungi, no
doubt, are found in our orchards. While
it is true that soil conditions may have
much to do with the rapidity with which
these diseases spsead and their destruc-
tiveness, they cannot be said to be the
initial cause Of the death Of the tree.
The most destructive root rot found
in our orchards ID the one which seems
to show preference for tbs Ben Davis
and Gsno apple. In . very few cases
coming under my observation has it
attacked Baldwin, Spitzenburg, and
Grimes Golden. The work Of this root
rot is not entirely confined to the roots
but often kills the bark well up on the
body Of the tree. This disease seems
to spread rapidly from tree to tree,
probably through irrigation water.
When once infected the tree il soon
Rirdled by . complete killing Of the
bark. It u sometimes detected in early
summer by IN oosing out Of the dis
colored sap on the body Of the tree.
While the tree il In most cases zirdled
the first season, it does not die until the
following season, when starvation Of
the root system and drying out Of the
sap wood checks the upward flow Of
sap. The other form Of root rot seems
to confine itself to the root system and
shows no great preference for varie-
ties. The destruction Of the tree is not
20 rapid, nor does 1t seem to spread 20
rapidly from tree to tree.
It is very hard to suggest any remedy
for these root rots. In the case Of the
first, where careful examination shows
only . small portion of the bark dis
eased. this may be cut away to healthy
tissue and the wound washed with some
disinfectant. For this work. corrosive
subl'mate, part to 1000 of water may
be used. This has proved Of some value
where the work 10 carefully and thor
oughly performed. Where the deadened
area extends down on the roots thorough
work seems almost impossible and. ss
q result, the disease continues to spread.
In the care Of the disease where the
work 10 on the roots entirely. remedial
measures seem to bs almost out of the
question. The outcome Of the work in
controlling these troubles will depend
more upon preventative measures than
upon remedies. Affected trees should
be promptly removed and burned. As
observations would sesm to suggest that
irrigation water may be Q medium
through which the disease Is trans
feered, the bitches might well be placed
st greater distances from the trees.
The soil should be kept In good condi-
tion, well cultivated, and not over wet.
The question Is often asked a. to the
advisability Of planting q new tree
where an affected tree has been re-
moved. 30 fsr a. have observed, no
serious trouble follows such practice.
l think 1t well to remove the old tree
and to allow the hole to remain open
over winter. The action Of the sun and
the frost will do much to rid the soil of
any remaining traces Of the disease.
Az double precaution, it may be we'll
to place pound or two Of blue stone
in the hole and run water In to dissolve
II. It would hardly seem advisable to
Eepla9t Gano Or Ben Davis where trees
Of sithsr variety haye been lost.
The grower should not rely alone VR-
on this fall treatment TO stamp out
these diseases In the orchard. An
occasional inspection Of the trees dur
ing the summer and the cutting out Of
the diseased areas may save many trees.
While It is often great temptation to
leave tree until it natures its crop,
the grower does this at his own risk.
o. B. WHIPPLE,
Field Horticulturist, Colorado Agricul-
tural College, Fort Collins. Colombo.