Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., February 7, 1899. 



The Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, 



Albany, N. Y. 



Sir: Of the man}^ diseases with which the fruit-grower has to 

 contend, probably no one has been more generally prevalent dur- 

 ing the past season than the peach leaf-curl. Wherever 

 horticultural schools or meetings have been held, questions have 

 come up concerning this disease and its treatment. 



Moreover, the greater part of the correspondence referred to 

 the mycologist during the spring of 1898 was in regard to 

 the peach leaf-curl fungus andremedies for the same; fortunately, 

 experiments relative to preventive treatment were already 

 under way. 



In this bulletin, Mr. Duggar has given a brief and clear 

 account of the fungus causing the leaf-curl, and he has outlined 

 a treatment which, under difficult conditions, has proved most 

 satisfactory. The peach leaf-curl is one of the three great 

 enemies of the peach-growing industry and like the other two, 

 the yellows and the borer, if neglected or if treated unintel- 

 ligently, the orchard soon becomes unprofitable, and finally is 

 entireh^ destroyed. 



I. P. Roberts, Director. 



