330 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



PEACHES. 



The older trees have all been removed and those on the grounds at 

 present range from one to five jeavs old with the exception of four op 

 five varieties and there is only one tree of some of these. Nearly all 

 of the trees of bearing age bloomed full and at first it looked as though 

 there was going to be a large crop, but most of the fruit dropped in 

 June and the crop on most varieties was quite small. 



Spraying for Leaf-Curl. 



Sulphate of copper has always been found effective against leaf-curl, 

 but last spring a number of trees were sprayed with sulphate of iron, 

 2 pounds to 50 gallons, before the buds started and other trees of the 

 same varieties were sprayed with copper sulphate, 2 pounds to 50 

 gallons of water. The results were that some varieties showed no leaf- 

 curl, while others showed a small number of diseased leaves on the tree 

 sprayed with the sulphate of iron, but none when sprayed with copper 

 sulphate. Although it gave better results against leaf-curl than with 

 the other diseases, sulphate of iron cannot be recommended as a fungi- 

 cide in the place of copper sulphate. In one block the trees were sprayed 

 with lime, sulphur and salt, except two that were left unsprayed to 

 note the results. The trees sprayed showed no diseased foliage while 

 those unsprayed had a considerable amount of leaf-curl, indicating that 

 the above wash is a reliable remedy for leaf-curl. In fact, although the 

 expense of the sulphur and lime mixture would prevent its use for this 

 purpose only, if the trees are infested with the San Jose scale one 

 application will sufiSce for both. 



The varieties that made the best shoAving were Triumph, Brunson, 

 Waddell and Mcintosh. Triumph is the earliest yellow variety, but is 

 rather small and inclined to rot. Brunson is similar to Kalamazoo and 

 is a valuable, medium late sort. Waddell is a very hardy and productive, 

 white peach, ripening about August 15. It is of good size and quality 

 but rather tender in texture for shipment. Mcintosh is one of the 

 newer kinds and is proving very hardy in bud, but is white-fleshed and 

 hence of doubtful value. 



The following are the more promising of the new varieties : 



Admiral Dewey: — The earliest, yellow freestone. It is of good size, 

 yellow, with a handsome red cheek ; flesh yellow, of fair texture and 

 flavor. It seems to be larger and less subject to rot than Triumph but 

 is slightly later in ripening. It appears to be quite hardy and if suf- 

 ficiently productive it will be a valuable sort. 



Emma: — A large, yellow, handsome freestone, ripening the last of 

 September, which seems to be a promising variety. 



Frances, Worth and Matthews are all large, yellow freestones ripen- 

 ing a few days in advance of Emma. While they appear to be desirable 

 sorts, further trial will be needed to determine their comparative merits. 



Banner: — Ripens with Smock, Although slightly smaller than that 

 variety, it is of better flavor and appearance and even more hardy and 

 productive. 



