No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 359 



threw out a profusion of coarse, matted aerial roots, much like 

 those of a trumpet creeper or English ivy. Other plants ot the same 

 species and growing under similar conditions of light and soil de- 

 veloped none of these aerial roots; and the most probable explana- 

 tion of this particular case is in the unusual and unfavorable condi- 

 tions under which this injured plant Avas forced to grow. Cases 

 of this sort are not unusual, but they are commonly quite local, and 

 of not much practical importance. 



I am always glad to correspond with those who are interested 

 in plants and plant growing and continue to offer the services of 

 the Botanical Department of the College and Experiment Station 

 to all reasonable requests. 



The CHAIR: You have heard the report of the Botanist. What 

 will you do with the report? 



MR. HERR: I move that the report be received and placed on 

 file. The question being put, it was so ordered. 



The CHAIR: The next in order is the report of the Pomologist, 

 Gyrus T. Fox, of Reading, Pa. 



Mr. Fox not being present, his report was passed. 



The CHAIR: The next thing is the report of the Committee on 

 Fruit and Fruit Culture, by J. F. Boyer, Chairman, I'reeburg, Pa. 



Mr. Boyer read his report, which is as follows: 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUIT AND FRUIT CULTURE. 



By J. F. BOTEB. Chairman. 



The year 1904 may be set down as a record-breaker so far as the 

 winter is concerned. The spring also was unfavorable; especially 

 is this true of the strawberry, which was almost an entire failure in 

 some parts of the State, while in other parts a partial crop was 

 secured. Raspberries in most parts of the State were only about 

 fifty per cent, of a crop. The Gregg and Cuthbert were, in many 

 parts, killed to the snow-line. Blackberries also suffered from 

 the effects of the severe cold winter. Wilson's Early and Early 

 Harvest were killed to the ground^ while such varieties as the 

 Taylor and Snyder bore a medium crop. Currants produced a fair 

 crop. 



The apple crop was a full one in most parts of the State and the 

 keeping quality was fine. Prices remained low and in many parts 

 of the State the summer varieties were left to rot under the trees. 

 Even some winter varieties did not yield enough money to pay cost 

 of marketing, while choice varieties sold at a fair price. 



Pears. — This fruit was a fair crop in most parts of the State. 



