112 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



With one exception the plants protected by the growth of corn were healthier than 

 plants of the same variety not so protected. These results should only be regarded as 

 indicative and not conclusive. The experiment should be repeated on a larger scale 

 another year on the same plantation. With regard to fungicides. Bordeaux mixture 

 was applied in the forepart of the season — later when this began to stain the fruit, a 

 weak solution (1 pound to 160 gallons) of copper sulphate was applied. This proved 

 fairly effective. Weekly applications were necessary, however, in order to hold the 

 disease in check. It seemed quite as effective as ammoniacal copper carbonate, is much 

 easier prepared and exceedingly cheap. It is best to have a concentrated solution on 

 hand which may be diluted as needed. 



Fungus (Heterosporium gracile, Sacc.) 



Many species of Iris in the perennial border were severely attacked by the above 

 named fungous disease. It is first noticed hy the presence of circular yellow spots upon 

 the foliage. These spots increase in size and number ; the leaves wither and the flower 

 stalks fail to develop, or wither in the act of flowering. At this stage, if the plant is 

 pulled up the bulb will in most cases be found to be affected with a soft rot resembling 

 very much the crown rot which so frequently destroys celery in winter. This disease 

 develops and spreads rapidly in cool moist weather, such as characterized the month of 

 July. It usually appears in the first half of June, its later development depending upon 

 temperature and moisture. The German Iris section appears to be more susceptible to the 

 disease than other types. This parasite is a serious drawback to the cultivation of the Iris. 



Treatment. — Bordeaux mixture was used with apparently good effect, although no 

 exact comparisons were made. When plants are badly diseased it is wise to dig them 

 up and burn them. In the case of a badly infested bed it is advisable to remove the 

 healthy plants to new ground and use the old ground for some other class of plants. 



A DRY ROT OF APPLES. 



A preliminary note regarding the appearance of this fungus was made in last year's 

 Report (see page 171). The disease again appeared this year, being present upon St. 

 Lawrence as early as Aug. 25. No other additions to the list of affected varieties given 

 last year were noted. Dr. W. T. Connell has been engaged in studying the parasite 

 during the past year, but is not yet ready to report the results of his investigations 

 which he hopes to complete to his own satisfaction this autumn. The fungus found in 

 greatest abundance in the affected areas is one closely resembling Penicillium glaucum. 



A PEACH DISEASE. 



During the past three years I have received from time to time, chiefly through the 

 kind ofiices of Mr. Milton G. Bruner, Olinda, Ont., specimen peach twigs very much 

 resembling in general characteristics those affected with peach rosette. On July 20, 

 1897, Mr. Bruner forwarded a number of samples, writing as follows : — '* I send you by 

 this mail samples of peach twigs affected by a disease resembling the descriptions I have 

 read of rosette. The specimens are from two different orchards. One of them from 

 Mr. Conover's, near Leamington. This orchard is well cared for and is one of the 

 handsomest in that vicinity. It shows that he has spared no pains in looking after it. 

 The foliage of most of the trees looks healthy and unaffected ; trees are making a vigor- 

 ous growth ; yet it is polluted with this rosette-like disease. Peach growers are 

 becoming alarmed, as whereever it has made its appearance il. has spread steadily and 

 quite rapidly. It affects orchards at Leamington, as well as Olinda, and seems to have 

 taken a strong hold at both places." 



The external characteristics of the disease, are (1) abnormally thickened annual 

 shoots ; (2) a marked conduplication of buds ; (3) tufted, broom-like growths involving 

 a single twig or branch or sometimes the entire top of a tree ; (4) the colour of the foliage 

 a somewhat lighter green than normal ; (5) leaves much narrowed and contorted. Upon 

 examining the orchards in question, I found that often a single tufted branch would be 

 noticed upon a tree ; again, half of the top would be involved and on other occasions 



