Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., | 



March i, 1898. ^ 



Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, Albany : 



Sir : This bulletin is our first attempt to answer the many ques- 

 tions respecting the diseases of the pear. There is a special reason 

 for taking up the investigation from the fact that the common leaf 

 disease of the pear in this state is a different fungus than has been 

 supposed. The inquiry has shown that two very distinct diseases 

 have been confused, and in the future we should speak of leaf- blight less 

 and of leaf-spot more. The bulletin also calls attention to the dreaded 

 fire-blight; and although nothing can be done to directly intercept the 

 disease, the injury may be somewhat averted if the grower's eyes are 

 so sharpened that he discovers the disease upon its first appearance. 



I. P. Roberts, 



Director. 



