REPORT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 43 



conditions are more or less favorable to its development. Many 

 orchards were noted this year where the leaves were almost 

 all of a yellow color early in the season due to this fungus. 

 As in the case of the blister mite such a condition results in the 

 lack of proper nutrition for the tree through the leaves failing 

 to perform their proper function. The scab spray of Bor- 

 deaux mixture or lime-sulphur is very essential to the control 

 of this disease, although proper fertilization and general care 

 are important factors. Trees that are thrifty are not as 

 susceptible. 



Scab. The writer will have to admit that the operations of 

 this fungus are amazing. We know, in a general way, that wet 

 weather is favorable for its development, yet with the abnormal 

 conditions we have experienced this season the percentage of 

 infection is relatively low. It is true, of course, that in some 

 sections much fruit has been damaged, but in general the infec- 

 tion is smaller than we would naturally expect. We certainly 

 have a good deal to learn about scab and the factors governing 

 its dissemination and growth. It may be that the rather dry 

 fall of 1914 and the dry spring of this year held the fungus in 

 check, in any case, until we know definitely, one guess is as 

 good as another. For control measures it is being clearly 

 demonstrated that the dormant spray is very important and 

 that Bordeaux mixture is superior to lime-sulphur as a pink bud 

 application. This holds true, of course, for the prepared cop- 

 per materials such as Pyrox, Bordo Lead, etc. Clean cultiva- 

 tion, by turning under many of the infected leaves, no doubt 

 helps in keeping this fungus in check. 



Baldzvin Spot. It is now generally realized that the spot on 

 the Baldwin and several other varieties which materially re- 

 duces their commercial value is not due to fungus origin. Just 

 what is the cause of this condition is not known, although 

 many growers maintain that excessive amounts of nitrogenous 

 fertilizer invariably bring it on, and that lime is a checking 

 agent. Whether or not this is true the writer is unable to say 

 for the spot is found on the fruit of trees entirely neglected as 

 well as on those grown in hen yards and other places where the 

 amount of nitrogen is out of proportion to the actual needs of 

 the tree, and where the soil is decidedly acid. 



