The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-01-28
THE DRY
That Apple Rust is Caused by
Fermented Sap is. ExpIod-
ed by Plant Man.

MORGANTOWN, Jan 2S.-In spite
of the conclusive experiments per-
formed by the plant pathologists at
the agricultural experiment station OF
the West Virginia University and re-
gardIess of the fact that the destruc-
ton Of cedar trees has actually
stopped apple rust in many orchards,
1T is still common to hear dissenters
advance other theories to account for
the presence of apple rust The latest
of these to come to the attention of
the station and one which actually re-
ceived considerable support in Berkeley
county attributed the rust TO fer
mentation of sap caught in the higher
twigs when freezing weather sets IN.
Since this theory was given some little
newspaper attention plant pathologist
n T. Giddings replied in part as fol-
lows:
1.-The relationship of the cedar apples
to the rust disease of the apple has
been clearly shown by numerous ex-
periments which this department has
conducted in Berkeley county, during
the last three seasons. The results
of these experiments have been given
in bulletins, press articles and talks
Nevertheless the theorists can always
find something new to suggest and
we feel we'll pleased five can succeed
the real truth"
During the spring Of 1913 the young
tw1gs OF York Imperial apple trees
showed one or two very slightly in
fected leaves among the first six or
eight which Unfolded from each leaf
nd. The remaining leaves OUT to that
point were entirely free from rust.
Then came two or three leaves which
were ably infected, each having from
49, ~ Q00 rY1Sf annfS At.ThG
very tip there were frequently one
or two leaves which were entirely free
from infection. These results were
secured by making counts on over LOG
twigs taken from different trees. II
fermented sap inside the trees, was
the cause 1t is difficult to understand
why this sap should haze been dis
tributed to one or two of the first
leaves in such minute quantity and
to two or three leaves near the tip of
the bud in such excessive amount.
There were some leaves at the ex-
IRENE tip and others back little way
which were perfectly free from rust.
"TIow do we explain this infection?
The rust spots on the leaves were
caused by the deelopment of fungus
spores which were carried from tine
cedar apple to the apple when weather
conditions favored. The first infec-
ton, WHICH was SlA6uA. lOSh pAeISS
about the middle of April, just as the
leaf buds were opening The second
and severe infection took place on the
hfteenth day Of May when the first
six or eight leaves were just expand
ing. Specimens were collected and
preserved every two or three days
during the spring so that we might
know the stage OF development OF the
foliage and rust spots at any date
sI9ave the spores ever been taken
from the cedar apples and placed up
|on the apple leaves to see If they
would cause rust? Yes indeed, many.
times. These experiments must be
conducted during moist, dark DAYS
as such weather is essential to the.
proper development of the fungus
spores. NEGOTIATIONS have been made
by rubbing a moist gelatinous cedar
apple over some young apple leaves