The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-06-11
BLIGHT.

We have many inquiries regarding
blight, what it is and what we may
do.
A rainfall in excess of four inches
in May has given us humid atmos-
phere favorable to the growth and
dissemination of blight spores. The
normal rainfall for May in southern
Idaho is only l2o inches. We have
had an unusually warm April. Warm
weather and excessive rainfall plac-
ed the trees in a receptive condition
to receive spores. In addition to the
excessive rainfall, in the case of many
orchards, there had been added early
irrigation. During the months Of
March and April people were urged
to make use of early water running
in waste bitches since there was a
probability that there would be a
shortage of water for irrigation In
August The warmth of April coupl-
ed with the excessive amount of wa
ter available in May forced the sap
and placed the trees in receptive
condition for receiving blight spores.
Under ordinary conditions as to tenn
perature and moisture we would not
expect blighting conditions to be
present until June, at which time our
apple trees would be out OF bloom.
The apple tree can more readily re-
ceive blight spores through the bloom
than through the foliage. Bees and
other insects visit the trees while IN
bloom. The most serious harm in
this visitation has been that portion
which was received through the
bloom. The blight entering the bios
som destroys the fruit for that par
/ L. nd
continued wet weather such as we
have had during the month of May the
blight NAV extend down through the
branch on which the fruit sour was
Located. Should the infection girdle
the branch then that particular branch
may be destroyed as far down as thu
source of infection.
II the amount Of water in the sol
and the humidity of the atmosphere
working together should be such as tc
force a very vigorous flow of saI
then the blight may in extreme cases
extend down the branch and in very
extreme cases the principal limbs anC
the trunk Of the tree may become III
fccted.
The possibility of being troubled by
blight is always with us and has beer
present in fruit growing districts tol
long time We have suffered more
than usual this season because atmos
phcric conditions and soil cond'tic NJ
favoring the reception OF blight spores
combined to be present during tn
blossoming period instead of coming
some weeks later after the blossom
ing period has passed by. We do no
Inv southern Idaho, often have yer,
,, wet Nav. The rainfall in the pas
month OF May exceeded the rainfall o
any other month of May since record
, have been made by the weather burea
. therefore the amount of harm sustain
ed this season is not likely to occu
. again in the near future.
Now what may we do to lessen tn
harm of this particular visitation G
blight? First older trees suffer les
: from blight than young ones becaus
A the sap pressure circulation is distr
i buted through so many more points {
! growth that we do not have the sam
rank growth in the older trees thu
we have in the younger,
Second, trees standing in grass c
in clover sod or even in weeds mu:
II divide the available moisture wit
e grass or weed growth and trees undo
such conditions are growing moi
slowly and are less receptive to bligl
spores.
1t is we'll at this time to check Il
rankness of the growth of trees SUI
iect to blight bv withholding irrig
ton and lessening cultivation uni
e the growth of the blighting trees hi
been checked This will directly ter