54 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



SCAB. 



While it has been generally believed that early infections of 

 scab have been due to the spores which come from the leaves 

 imder the trees, we know now through the work of Dr. Morse 

 at the Experiment Station that such infection may also be traced 

 to those spores which have gained a foothold' on the twigs and 

 water sprouts. In a great many places such infected twigs 

 were discovered last summer, mainly on the Mcintosh, Fameuse 

 and Milding. Experiments have shown that th^ dormant 

 spray of lime-sulphur is very essential under these conditions 

 and that later applications without it are not entirely efficient. 

 The general damage done this year by the scab is not as great 

 as lias been the case in many previous seasons, particularly 

 that of last year. This may be attributed to a great extent to 

 weather conditions which were not advantageous to its growth. 

 Trees showing the largest amount of infection were usually in 

 orchards where the damage last year was very great and where 

 many apples, together with the foliage, were left on the ground. 

 Trees that were thick and covered with numerous and large 

 leaves suffered more than those well pruned. 



Scab was present in some orchards where thorough spray- 

 ing with lime-sulphur was done and it has led more or leis 

 definitely to the conclusion that lime-sulphur in itself is not 

 sufficient and that it must be supplemented by some other 

 material, — i. e., bordeaux mixture. Bordeaux mixture causes 

 russeting o-f fruit and burning of foliage when applied after 

 the petals fall or later in the season. Consequently we have 

 recommended the use of bordeaux at the time the blossom 

 buds are showing pink and lime-sulphur for the dormant spray 

 after the petals fall and any applications thereafter. 



SAN JOSE SCALE. 



The appearance of new areas affected with San Jose scale, 

 within the borders of the state, has been noted by this Bureau 

 during the past year. A serious infestation has been discovered 

 in a previously thriving peach orchard, owned by H. P. Abbot 

 in the town of Eliot. In August, some twelve trees were found 

 dying and the scale was abundant on both leaves and fruit, as 

 well as on the woody portions of the trees. In this case, all 



