Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1910-12-16
Third Instalment

Ing. AS a rule, I would suggest that
eradication Of blight precede the
general pruning. A special set of
skilled help should do this work,
then the ordinary pruner may follow
Even In ordinary pruning 1t is safe
plan to disinfect when leaving each
tree in order to avoid carrying the
disease In case the pruner has cut
into an overlooked case Of the
blight. There is question as to
what to do when the blight Is found
running down the bodies and into
the roots OF the trees. Where the
disease occurs on limbs 1t can be
readily sawed off, as the removal of
even the greater portion Of the twigs
and the branches by no means entire
ly destroys the value Of the tree The
tree will push its new top vigorously,
and In two or three years be in full
bearing again. Where the blight has
run past the main forks, however,
serious question is involved. Where
Inefficient, unskilled labor has to be
used and where there Is but little
blight TO work out, we advise pulling
out all trees where II has run down
the bodies, or has infected the root
system. Many growers, when the
matter Is explained to them, condemn
such trees and root them out and
thus, OF course, simplify the matter
On the other hand, It is possible to
cut out the blight by carefully re-
moving the bark and even the dis
colored wood, entirely beyond the
limits Of the Infection. An inch or
two at the side and three to six
Inches at the bottom and top Of the
Infection may be regarded as safe II
done during the winter However
such cutting will not do during the
spring or summer when the sap Is
flowing rapidly Such work invar
iably results In missing many cases.
II Is never a good plan to leave the
matter OF working out hold-over
blight until after the sap begins to
flow; the best time to do this and do
It successfully Is during the dormant
period However, I do not mean to
say that hod-over may not be re-
moved at any time, but do mean to
say the chances for successful oper-
alton are very much less, and the
amount of cutting necessary is al
ways much greater and more de-
structlve to the appearance and
health OF the tree. AS a general
principle, we believe In drawing the
line on those cases where the blight
has gone below the crown and into
the root system. Even here, how.
ever, II Is possible to dig away the
soil and follow up the blight on the
roots A tree should never be con.
sldered as wholly lost where skilled
labor may be had, and where the
body Is not completely glrdled or
whore the root system Is not too bad
ly involved. Where a large portion
OF the bark must be removed from
the body leaving only a small por
tion 20 carry sap, bridgesrafting ma,
be resorted TO, 10 flll In the part GU
away n this Is we'll done and 1
tho barred wood has been protected
by white lead paint, a new bari
covering may bo grown This ha
been done IN n very successful wa,
In several instances In case tn
tree has set heavy crop of bud
FOR the next year, this plan win even
tually help TO carry the fruit crop.
Summer cutting lntelIgently ap
piled may do a great deal of good 4
saving trees which would otherwis
be lost. This Is especially advisabl
where there Is only little blight
the orchard Cby this mean to sa
that unless the Infection Is so 81
rious as to necessltate the destNC
tion ot the entire tree) and It shoul
always be practIced The dry sun
mor weather OF most OF the PacltI
coast country, especially from south
ern Oregon southwark Is certalnl
not favorable for new infections, bu
occasionally spring rains occur ratt
er late and sometimes extend int
the summer and after the blossomiu
time Until the present year sue
has not occurred In southern Oregon
but the past spring has had sever,
Infection periods IN which condition
have boon extremely favorable TO IN
development and spread OF the dl'
ease. Under eastern conditions. q
where excessive spring and summt
rains are the rule, summer cutting
only half successful, and has. ther,
tore. been condemned by most pea
and apple orchardlsts as failur