The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-03-01

lnlb I6GlllZ0T anu dlSO SOIlS lliuS
Is often needed to "sweeten" the soil.
Potash can be used by supplying the
muriate of potash or the sulphate of
potash. They are Immediately avail
able for plant food. If you write to
Chas. H. Lilly & Company, Seattle,
Mr.. Frank Leckenby, of that firm, will
tell you just how much you need and
how to apply it. I will vouch for
Franks reliability. 1 often go to him
for information in such matters and
he never disappoints me-
Mr.. N. r. Selover, Copeland, Idaho,
writes as follows: 81 have been an
interested reader of The Ranch for
number of years, particularly of your
department, and now | am going to
make a request. If you will an
swer my questions some time before
spring through the columns of The
Ranch I will appreciate your kindness.
First, will you describe the bitter rot
from start to finish, and give the
method of combating the disease? Sec
ond, will you describe the topgraft-
ing of apple trees from five to ten
years old? Tell how far back to cut
JuS IlCO, WnOClCl W GAoAS NAAs"AA $4,000
or to cut back further, and what to
do with the old growth, and the new
growth from old wood?'
To describe the bitter rot from
start to finish" would be a most diff
cult matter, and | do not think 1t
necessary in order to successfully
combat the disease. l have lying be-
fore me a valuable exchange-the Ma
tional Fruit Growcr-from which l.
will make some quotations. l have
described this disease and the method
of combating it in previous issues or
The Ranch, and shall keep on writing
about it from time to time, for 1t Is
one of the pests that will stay with
us and in some locations does damage
to the amount of many millions of dol
lars. But some one else'S descrip-
ton may meet some peoples wants
better than mine. Here are the quo
tations referred to:
at must be understood that bitter
rot is fungus-of parasitic nature
is developed and prOpagated by spores
of the rot in contact with the fruit
or branches Of fruit trees, when nee
essary moisture is present and the
temperature favorable for it's growth is
right. The disease is carried from
one season to another on bitter rot
cankers found on twigs or fruit spurs,
or on mummified fruit, or where filth,
branches or coarse litter has been
left in the orchard over winter-where
clean methods have not been practiced.
The rot spores attack and will de-
velop on fruit from the time 1t is
half grown until it is mature, and 1t
is often found to grow and destroy
fruit after having been placed in stor-
age"
The method of treatment is to spray
with some preparation of sulphate OF
copper, commonly called bluestone or
blue vitriol. Some recommend spray
ing about two weeks before the buds
open with clean copper sulphate-blue-
stone, pounds to 100 gallons OF water.
This solution must never be used
when the leaves or fruit is on the tree
or they will be ruined. For all later
sprayings the Bordeaux mixture must
be used The lime in this mixture
neutralizes the sulphuric acid In the
sulphate Of copper and In this way
the foliage of the trees is protected. |
nave never used the unmixed copper
.uiphate in spraying, and am or the
opinion that strong solution OF the
Bordeaux is Just as effectual and safer.
Where the bitter rot is bad 1t is
recommended to spray several times
with the Bordeaux mixture during the
summer time. If full strength Bor-
deaux is used the apes will be dam
aged and have rough, rusty appear
ance. In our dry hot valleys the bit
Ter rot has never been very bad, and
it is to be hoped it never will be-.
Still, we must be watchful for we
do not know just how much damage it