The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-02-15

portion.
In a grove of any considerable
sire it will be found that trees will
be injured in varying degrees, II will
also be found that nearly every
tree will be a case that will have to
be treated slightly different from ey-
cry other one.
Leaves Falling a Good Sign
The prompt fallng of leaves from
the tree is a coed sign, However, the
leaves may fall and the tree still be
very seriously injured This is es-
pocially true where the trunk has
been exposed as in the case of trees
less than four or five years old. II
may readily happen in such cases
that a considerable ring Of bark en-
tirely around the trunk has been
frozen Every tree should he given
individual inspection with this point
in mind The bark of the tree may
be entirely frozen and a sufficient
amount of moisture pass MP through
the wood TO make il possible Cor the
tree { shed its leaves and even 10
start young growth This condition
was of frequent occurrence after the
great freezes of 1894 and 1898.
Many citrue trees were in an active
state of growth during the recent
cold spell consequently the bark was
especially in danger of being injured
by the cold This is true in trees
even where no bursting of the bark
occurred
No one should he in great haste
about cutting the injured wood. ev-
en- If it should remain in the Grove
for several weeks II is nest 10 wait
until it can be told positively to
what extent injury has occur !.
The length Of time to walt vii! de-
rcnd upon ceather conditions. u
soon as the extent of the injury can
be definitely ascertained. all dead
and weak wood should be removed
as promptly as possible When such
time arrives II will be found most
profitable to remove all of the WOOD
back to that which is strong and
vigorous. Usually the mistake if
made of leaving much wood that is
week. which invites disease and de
struction later. If It Ia necessary
to sacrifice large limbs or even the
entire top of tree there should be
no hesitancy about doing so
Wounds should be protected lmmed-
lately. An application of antiseptiC
solution Is good. AS soon as thh
is dry. which will be in the course
of an hour or so. the wound should
be painted over with a good paint
or liquid grating wax. Failure to
cover the exposed portion is sure to
invite an attack of withertip fungus
StcHi-tHu-iul luHSuS, VI Sllllldi ulS-
eases.
The pruned out wood and branch
es should be burned as soon as prac-
ticable. Dead citrus wood propa-
gates stem-end-rot and withertip
fungi. hence melanose and anthrac-
nose are likely to be severe in groves
where dead wood is allowed to re-
main
Continual Cultivation and Fsrtili-
zation
What has been said in regard to
pruning here should in no wise be
considered applicable to groves To-
Gated in the canker zone. Such
groves need special treatment. diff
fcrent from ordinary cases. The can
ker inspectors will be fully advised
as to what the proper treatment will
be.
Cultivation should continue in or
der that the soil may be kept in the
hest condition fcr healthy growth
and that the trees may have every
opportunity to recuperate as prompt
ly as possible. Fertilizing should be
continued. and will robably need to
be as heavy, or nearly as heavy. as il
no freeze had occurred. Those trees
that produce bloom should receive