222 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



notkeable one is the premature ripening of the fruit on one or 

 more limbs. 



Rosette and Little Peach should be treated the same way. 



PEACH LEAF CURL. 



This is a disease that seriously affects the leaves, flowers, tender 

 shoots and fruit of the peach. Its action is most severe in the 

 spring of the year, shortly after the leafing of the trees, and the 

 greatest injury is caused in wet seasons and in humid locations. 

 The direct annual loss to the peach interests from leaf curl is very 

 large, usually much larger than is suspected, as the nature and 

 action of the disease is misunderstood, and their effects frequently 

 attributed to other causes. 



In case curl appears after a severe cold spell in spring, as is 

 quite common, the orchardist is apt to charge the loss of fruit to 

 the low temperature rather than to the disease. 



The direct cause of the disease has long been known as a para- 

 sitic fungus, but the development of the fungus is distinctly co- 

 related with special physiological phenomena of the tree itself. 

 These conditions of the tree are in turn dependent upon such ex- 

 ternal influences as temperature, humidity of soil and atmosphere. 

 However, too much stress cannot be laid upon the fact that the 

 fungus alone is responsible for the injury to the tree. Without the 

 parasite not a leaf would curl, or a peach fall on account of 

 this malady, in fact, no such malady would exist, and it is for- 

 tunate that the direct cause is a parasitic fungus rather than un- 

 favorable atmospheric conditions, for the latter could not be con- 

 trolled, while the control of the fungus is not only practicable but 

 simple and inexpensive. 



TREATMENT 



Is more largely preventive that curative, by the destruction of 

 the spores before they become established, by the use of one of 

 the fungicides, such as sulphate of copper, Bordeaux mixture, lime 

 and sulphur, etc. At the Paragon Orchards the lime and sulphur 

 mixture (without salt) is used exclusively. It destroys the San 

 Jos^ Scale, and is a specific for the leaf curl. One single applica- 

 tion while the tree is dormant is sufficient for the purpose. Mil- 

 dew, black spot, sooty mold, brown rot, etc., can all be held under 

 control by proper, intelligent spraying. 



MARKETING. 



The many different phases of this subject thus far treated are 

 all very important, and no one can be neglected without seriously 

 affecting the quantity and quality of the fruit, as well as short- 

 ening the life of the tree. But what are the benefits to be derived 

 by the production of large crops if they are not properly handled 

 and placed on the market in the most acceptible form to bring the 

 best prices as remuneration for their time, labor and money be- 

 stowed upon them. In fact, under such conditions the larger the 

 crops the greater the loss, as it costs time and money to gather 

 and handle these products. Therefore, it is plainly seen that the 

 financial success of the fruit raiser depends entirely upon his ability 



