SUMMER MEETING, 1880. 79 



the State Society of Indiana, who favored the meeting with a very interest- 

 ing and well prepared essay on " Women as Horticulturists.''' 



The essay of Mrs. J. K. Neisz, of Canton, on the Influence of Horticul- 

 ture on Rural Life was exceedingly fine and drew out much applause. 



Some of the topics discussed were very interesting, and the conclusions impor- 

 tant. With the hope that 1 may not make this too lengthy, I will venture to 

 give a portion of some of the most important topics discussed. The "black 

 knot" seems to have interfered very seriously with the culture of the plum 

 and cherry in Ohio. 



The black Morello cherry and the Damsons among the plums were especially 

 the sufferers from this pest to a very alarming extent. Secretary Bateham 

 took the iuiatory in this discussion, and said it was a fungus growth and 

 assumed the most activity during the months of June and July. 



The powder-like spores were thrown off at that time and carried by the 

 wind to new lodgements, where it again commences its work of destruction on 

 the bark which begins to swell into a knotty shape, and as the season advanced 

 it hardened and turned black. 



The remedy given by the speaker was to cut away the branch as soon as dis- 

 covered, but if not. before the winter would expose the knot to view, when all 

 affected branches should be carefully cut away at some distance below the knot 

 and burned. But far the safest way was to attack it vigorously before the sea- 

 son of its greatest activity began. 



The cabbage worm was reported as on the increase, and the constarnation 

 depicted on the countenances of some of those old Pennsylvanians — who have 

 appropriated the most of southwestern Ohio — as they discussed the future 

 prospects of their sauerkraut was pitiful indeed, and every syllable uttered as a 

 possible remedy was eagerly listened to. Among other remedies was an ounce 

 of carbolic acid in two gallons of water, sprinkled over the cabbage. One old 

 veteran in the war of extermination, said that wood ashes and dust from the 

 road sprinkled on the cabbage would drive them off. Another had used hot 

 water of 150° applied to the cabbage with splendid success. But the general 

 belief was that catching the moth and destroying it was the most reliable 

 method of relief. 



The grape rot was another topic that brought out very earnest discussion, 

 and really is alarming the grape growers of Ohio. Secretary Bateham said it 

 was one of the most trying to the fruit growers of Ohio of any of the calami- 

 ties they had to contend with. Thousands of acres of vineyards had been 

 grubbed out, and the loss was immense. He had given it very much attention 

 and believed it was caused by atmospheric influence. It was not the soil nor 

 an insect, but a fungus growth. Very much rain in June and July, with 

 warm, muggy weather, was sure to be followed by grape rot. It followed the 

 track of thunder storms. 



The reason the island vineyards had escaped so well was that there was less 

 rain fall and no dew at all, and a pure atmosphere. Too thrifty vines might 

 be another cause. The remedy must be sunshine and a drying atmosphere. 

 Another was paper sacks tied on the bunches of grapes, and here Dr. 

 Warder suggested the saturating of the paper bags with sulphurous acid gas as 

 being an excellent help, or the sprinkling of dry sulphur on the grapes would do 

 as well. The spores appeared to attach themselves to the tender skin of the 

 fruit and feed on its liquids, which might have led to the theory that it origin- 

 ated in the sap. 



