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Show APPLE SCAB IS CAUSE OF LOSS A cool, wet period will result In tremendous tre-mendous losses to New Jersey apple growers unless they take prompt action ac-tion to protect their trees against scab. Tills Is the warning sounded by W. IX. Martin, New Jersey State college plant pathologist, who continues : "Apple scab was the cause of serious seri-ous losses In many orchards last year. In a number of instances trees were completely defoliated by this disease. The fact that the fuugus causing the disease over-winters on the fallen leaves makes It a serious menace again this year. "In the old leaves, scab forms black spore-cases .smaller than the head of a pin. In the spring spores mature In I these and are discharged - into the air during periods of rainy weather. Falling Fall-ing on the blossoms or young leaves, the spores germinate aud produce the typical scab spots. "The fact that the spores are mature ma-ture is of extreme Importance to the grower. He should be prepared to apply ap-ply the pink-bud spray at once, especially espe-cially In the southern counties of the state. In making this application the relation of rainfall to the discharge of the scab spores must be kept dearly dear-ly In mind. Without rain there tvlll be no spore discharge. For this reason rea-son it Is very essential that the first applications be made before rather than after rainy periods. If made after the rain the treatment will be ' too late to accomplish the best results. The grower who applies his pink application ap-plication before a rainy period and then maintains a protective coat of spray material will have no difficulty in the control of scab." |