Report of Progress. 315 



products. There are in progress important experiments looking to a 

 practical method for disinfecting the milk passages of those cows 

 which harbor undesirable species of bacteria, and also investigations 

 for determinincj the character of the bacteria in the milk ducts of cows 

 Jcept in clean and propt-rly ventilated ^tabk^s. It has already been 

 found by others, and verified by us, that the condition of the environ- 

 ment of the cows has much to do with the character of the bacteria 

 necessarily i)re-^ent in the milk. These, in turn, have much t j do with 

 the quality of the milk products. 



Unfortunately, we have but recently been able to start this work, 

 and are now in temporary quarters. It is hoped that in the near 

 future we may have a well-equipped laboratory and funds sufficient to 

 carry on these investigations to the extent their economic importance 

 demands. 



Botanical Division [G. F. Atkinson, Chief). 



BY B. M. DUGGAR. 



Investigations are in progress, which already have extended over 

 several years, upon the fungus diseases of forest trees, and of timber. 

 Material is nearly ready for a bulletin on some diseases of the timber 

 spruce, and on the effect of wind on trees weakened by the action of 

 fungi. Researches are also being prosecuted upon the embryology of 

 the conifers, and upon the development and structure of seedling 

 trees. 



A btilletin on Some Important Pear Diseases has been published. 

 This included, especially, notes upon the leaf-spot of pear, another 

 injurious leaf fungus, probably often confused with leaf-blight. Spray- 

 ing experiments showed that Bordeaux mixture may be effectually 

 used to prevent this disease. Leaf-blight, scab and pear blight are 

 also discussed. Other more obscure and less injurious pear fungi are 

 under study. 



The black mold of peach and apricot, and the shot-hole fungus of 

 the peach, apricot and plum have received some attention, but the 

 work is incomplete. 



Field spraying experiments for the prevention of the late bhght of 

 celery were conducted at the celery gardens of South Lima. While 

 this bhght was less injurious during the past season, it was demon- 



