REPORT OF THE HORTICULTURIST. Ill 



to be no difference between sprayed and unsprayed trees in the number of peaches 

 affected by curculio. In regard to rot : " Early Rivers " showed 2 to 4 per cent rotten 

 on sprayed trees and 5 to 7 per cent, on unsprayed trees. At this time the fruit was 

 beginning to colour. The spot fungous (cladosporium) was considerably worse on un- 

 sprayed trees. On August 7th, " Early Rivers " showed about six per cent of rotten 

 fruit on sprayed trees and eight per cent on unsprayed trees. " Early Richmond " 

 gave approximately the same results. As the crop was excessively heavy the amount of 

 affected fruit even on unsprayed trees could not be regarded as harmful, owing to the 

 beneficial effects accruing from this thinning process. In fact the quality of the crop 

 would have been much improved by removing at least 30 per cent of the fruit which 

 set, a large proportion of which was allowed to mature. 



With regard to the leaf curl, there was none on the treated trees and scarcely a 

 sign of it throughout the orchard. Mr. Burrell noted at harvesting time that in all 

 cases the fruit on the sprayed trees was higher coloured than that on the untreated 

 trees. This was undoubtedly due to the absence of the spot fungus already referred to 

 as Cladosporium. 



The crop of peaches in Mr. Gregory's orchard was also uniformly large, and of good 

 quality throughout. So little apparent difference could be noticed that picking records 

 were not preserved. My own notes taken on 26th June and 29th August indicate that 

 there was less rot on the sprayed trees among the early varieties such as Rivers, Mountain, 

 Rose and Crawford. 



To sum up, experiments on peaches were not attended by marked results owing to 

 the absence in a large measure of fungous diseases, and the presence of an unusually 

 heavy crop of fruit. From the experience of the past season it appears desirable to 

 apply even a weaker formula of Bordeaux than that recommended, and it is suggested 

 that after the foliage has appeared 3 pounds each of copper sulphate and lime to 50 

 gallons of water, be used. This formula might be used in treating all stone fruits, 

 although cherries were not injured by the ordinary formula. 



PLUMS. 



I am glad to be able to report more definite results regarding the treatment of 

 plums. In Mr. Broderick's orchard a block of plums composed of Munro, Bradshaw 

 and Lombard, was selected, and a part of each sprayed on the dates already given. The 

 trees were young, just coming into bearing. Rot was more or less prevalent on all 

 varieties, but the greatest damage to the trees was wrought by the Shot-Hole fungus 

 (Septoria cerasina), and in preventing this disease the best results were obtained. 

 Fruit growers well know the effect on the fruit of the loss of the foliage previous to the 

 harvesting period — decreased size and poor colouring are sure to follow. 



Notes taken oh 26th June and 29th August emphasize the fact that the foliage of 

 the sprayed trees was vastly superior to the unsprayed. In walking through the orchard 

 the difference in the health and luxuriance of the two series at once made itself apparent. 



To obtain accurate data regarding the character of the fruit two trees were selected 

 as much alike as possible in every respect, one sprayed, the other unsprayed. The fruit 

 of each was gathered and weighed. The sprayed tree yielded \i\ pounds of sound 

 plums, the unsprayed 12 pounds. But the difference was most noticeable in the superior 

 size and quality of the fruit from the sprayed tree. A hundred plums from this tree 

 weighed three pounds and nine ounces, while 100 plums unsprayed, weighed two pounds 

 and one ounce. 



The sprayed plums would easily sell as good first, while the unsprayed owing to 

 small size and lack of colour, could hardly be classed as "seconds." 



Touching the treatment of plums, Mr. Wm. Orr, of Stoney Creek, Ont., writes as 

 follows : — " Other years we have lost heavily from rot, especially on Duane's Purple 

 and Pond's Seedling, frequently losing the greater part of the crop of these varieties. 

 This year the trees were heavily loaded with fine clean fruit which was marketed 

 without any serious loss from rot. The check trees of Pond's Seedling dropped their 



