Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-11-30
Observations On
Pear Blight Control

The pear blight problem is so old
and the known methods for its con-
troll are so well understood that l
feel somewhat reluctant to say any
thing on this subject at the present
time However, the very great eco
nomic Importance of this disease, and
the evident necessity for concerted
action in the most rigid application
of best methods if we would control
1T, seem to justify my present effort
even at the risk of repeating only
come commonplace with many of the
growers.
There never has ben a time since
blight became prevalent in this valley
when the possibilities for its eradica-
tiOn were more promising than at
present. The dry hot weather of the
past summer SO unfavorable to
growth of new wood and develop
ment of fruit, has also been unfavor-
able to the rapid reproduction and
spread of the blight germ. The slow
ly growing tissues being less succu-
lent have furnished less favorable
substratum for the growth of the
blight organism, which in many in
stances has evidently lost vigor and
is apparently either dead or in
somewhat dormant condition. In
many such cases the diseased area
had already become sharply delimit-
ed from the healthy bark while the
tree was in full vigor. Another ia
Vorable effect of the season from the
point OF view of blight control is the
relatively early maturity of the new
wood, which would simplify the rec
ognition and elimination of all aerial
infections. The underground infec-
tions, too, although of all too fire.
quent occurrence, have doubtless
been limited in number, and the
spread of the germ in any diseased
area has probably been less rapid
than in normal years. This means,
then, that we have fewer blight can
kers TO contend with. that they are
generally more limited in area AID
more sharply defined than ordinar-
lily, and that our chances for cutting
them out are very favorable indeed,
NNJH how eN NTH ha q
recent years.
This lessened activity on the part
of the blight germ has apparently
led some growers to the very grave
misconeeption that the disease has
been practically eliminated from their
orchards and that now there is moth
ing to be done. No greater error
could be made at this time, and il
we would control this pest we must
pay the price of continual vigilance
The blight germ is not dead in our
trees and as soon as favorable condi-
tions return it will assert itself again
as vigorously as ever. Now Is the
time to put forth a Herculean effort
TO throw it Off And this effort
should involve every property holder
Of the Rogue River Valley whether
engaged in commercial fruit raising
or not, for the success of the com
mercial pear and apple orchard
means more prosperity for every one
in this district. / do not mean by
this that those engaged in other en-
terprises should suspend business
and become active in blight extermin-
alton, but | do suggest that they give
che problem their moral support and
influence. All tree owners should be
active blight fighters. Small family
orchards in town or on the farm, old
deserted orchards, and old trees in
out of the way places must receive
as careful attention and be as thor
Oughly cleaned up" as the best COM
mereial orchard in the valley. Com
b1aiNg blight is not one man fight,
and no orchardist can hope to keep
clean as long as his neighbor mani
TESTS Indifference on this very vital
question. One virulent case of
'hold-over" under favorable condi-
tions might readily become the
source OF an epidemic over the entire
section. Notwithstanding the fact
that nature has been kind to us in
limiting the spread of the blight
germ, and that most of the orchard
lists have been diligent in searching
for 1t, many such virulent cases still
exist This is especially true in the
underground part of the tree. Many
injections have been observed this
summer and fall in the crown and
roots OF trees which were in normal
condition so far as could be detected
above ground. A considerable num-
her Of these were evidently old can
kcrs which had escaped notice dur
ing the last seasons campaign and
had probably been fertile centers for
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