Annual Meeting — Report of Secretary. 107 



sity orchard, at the state farm, Madison; which, however, bore 

 heavily the previous year. 



Within the confines of all our cities, trees generally bore more 

 than an average crop. My theory is, that the vital forces of the 

 trees were weakened by too much moisture for the amount of heat. 

 The elaboration of fluids was not perfect; hence, a dyspeptic con- 

 dition, unfavorable to the perfection of foliage and fruit. 



Varieties with strong native elaborating power, went through 

 all right. The Duchess and others of its class thus show their value 

 for unfavorable situations and seasons. Fortunately, the overabun- 

 dant apple crop of the eastern states gave us a generous supply at 

 most reasonable rates. 



The cherry and strawberry crop exceeded any ever before known 

 in this district; the abundant rains of May and June rendering 

 artificial irrigation superfluous. 



The effect of this year's phenomena upon the next year's fruit 

 and foliage is a question of much interest to the observer. The 

 mild winter of 1877-8 was favorable to the early and strong de- 

 velopment of insect life, and this in part may account for the fail- 

 ure of the apple crop in certain localities. The codling moth did 

 not prevail as much as usual, but the leaf roller class and the loop- 

 ers, or canker worms, were exceedingly abundant; also the currant 

 worm. These worms are all readily and effectually disposed of by 

 the use of arsenic in solution as before commended, only we find 

 one pound to 100 gallons of water sufficiently strong, if thoroughly 

 used. 



The grape was less of a crop than for many years; the Concord 

 being as usual the main crop. The finer varieties were nearly all 

 badly effected with mildew, or some form of blight, particularly 

 where they were closely summer pruned. Where left to wander 

 at will, they perfected their fruit about as usual. 



FOURTH DISTRICT A. L. HATCH, ITHACA. 



Counties — Richland, Sauk, Vernon and Crawford. Fruit 

 trees last spring seemed to be quite unhurt by the previous 

 winter. Buds had not started during winter, as was the case 

 further south, but still came out in time to suffer with spring frosts, 

 except on high sites. Grape buds in the valley were killed com- 

 pletely after starting, and barely escaped on the ridges. Then 



