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THE KNIFE AND THE YELLOWS
Judge Lawton asked what precaution should be taken in pruning peach trees so as not to disseminate the yellows.
Prof. Beal thought this a very important matter, inasmuch as a tree might have the yellows enough to impart the disease and still not exhibit any signs of it distinguishable to the eye. He thought an alcohol lamp could be taken along by the pruner, and the blade of the implement be passed through the flame after finishing each tree.
Mr. Tracy said he had used crude carbolic acid for similar purposes with good effect. The liquid could be purchased very cheaply, and a can or pail of it could be carried about the orchard in case of pruning, and between trees the implement could be dipped in the acid.
Mr. Bitely .- Would there be any doubt about this material being effectual in killing any gorms of the disease that might adhere to the knife?
Prof. Beal .- I think none at all; and this would be a better choice than the lamp.
Mr. Tracy .- I employed the liquid in a single case of pear blight that was found in my orchard. I cut the diseased limb below the blighted part, and

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then applied the carbolic acid. I think perhaps it may have had the effect of saving a further dissemination of the disease in the tree. One thing is certain, the odor of that acid was discernable a year afterward, exhibiting the fact that it is not quickly lost.
A question .- Do you consider carbolic acid a remedy for pear-blight ?
Mr. Tracy .- No; I have no such idea; I have no theory in the matter. The fact is, I used it in this case and the blight did not reappear; it might not have reappeared any way. Still, if I had another case I should try a similar expedient.