THE PREVENTION OF BLIGHT ON APPLE TREES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2524, 4 February 1869, Page 3

THE PREVENTION OF BLIGHT ON APPLE TREES.

TO TUB EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTON TIMES. Sir,—A quarter of my garden is regularly flooded in the winter, but just sufficiently drained to prevent it standing upon the surface. On this low ground I planted, five years ago, six apple trees, one to two years old, and when they were established had them grafted. They never have blight, although they are within a few yards of others planted and grafted at the same time, but on dry ground. These are always covered with it. I have tried many of the preparations so highly recommended, but have found no cure. It comes again as thick as ever.

I have seen similar effects in other gardens, and have tried to transplant large apple trees from dry to wet places, hut some of them perished. I think it is best to move only the very young.

• I think there are many people here who can remember the fine, large orchards in some parts of England, where apple trees grow by the sides of brooks and other small streams, and charm the eye by their blossoms in spring and their loads of fruit in autumn, It never appears to strike them as a fact that they are growing in the right place, or that, if there was no natural means such as this to prevent the attacks of blight, apple trees would long ago hare been scarce. They can remember others on dry land, completely destroyed by blight, or prevented from having any more fruit. Your obedient servant, A. r.