142 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan.. 



would advise you to use caution, therefore, and get the quantity 

 of mixture which it is best to use by trying it on a few trees 

 first rather than to go ahead on some general recommendation 

 and make a general treatment of the whole orchard. 



The President. Are there not some substances that can 

 be used rather than these arsenical poisons on peach trees, 

 and which will do the same good? 



Prof. Beach. There are a few insects that infest peach 

 trees that we treat by the use of an arsenical spray, but I had 

 in mind the spraying for fruit-rot fungus which blights the 

 young and tender plants, and which sometimes later causes 

 leaf spot of the peach or leaf curl. Now, in treating leaf curl, 

 it has been demonstrated that the effective treatment is one 

 which is made before the buds start, although some spray for 

 leaf curl after the leaves are out. The most effective 

 treatment, however, is made before the buds start. After that 

 I prefer not to make any treatment with the spraying mixture 

 in the orchard, unless, possibly, in unfavorable seasons when 

 the fruit rot is developing very rapidly we may apply a solu- 

 tion of copper sulphate. That sometimes gives excellent re- 

 sults in checking the spread of the fruit-rot fungus. I mean 

 an ammoniacal solution of copper sulphate. 



The President. Is this disease prevalent in cherries? 



Prof. Beach. Yes, sir; and the use of this preparation 

 when the fruit is ripening may be beneficial. 



The President. What can we do with these early 

 peaches that begin to rot? I have sometimes seen a whole 

 tree full of them. 



Prof. Beach. Well, I believe the best way would be to 

 grow some other kind. That falls under the head of those 

 that I referred to that are not resistant to the disease. I have 

 had cases reported to me, although I have not conducted any 

 experiments myself, but there have been cases reported to me 

 where it has been held back by the use of this ammoniacal 

 solution on peaches. This solution, which is copper sulphate 

 dissolved in ammonia, does not spot the fruit, while the Bor- 

 deaux mixture does. I will not attempt to give you the 

 formula. I do not remember now so as to be sure I am right. 



