PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 69 



either the size or flavor of the fruit, and was not raised above the surface; 

 but it made the fruit unmarketable. I stopped the spread of it on some 

 varieties by the use of Bordeaux spray. 



Prof. Bailey said it had been noticed upon peaches and apricots in 

 New York, and was a new thing, but could, doubtless, be prevented by 

 the measure Mr. Adams had taken. 



Wednesday Afternoon Session. 



The second session of the meeting was devoted to topics germane to 

 peach culture, and was largely attended and thoroughly enjoyed. The 

 subject was introduced by the following papers, the secretary reading the 

 one provided by Mr. Taylor, his attendance being impossible: 



PEACH YELLOWS — THE OUTLOOK. 



This is not an attractive subject. We treat it as a duty, not as a pleasure. 

 It recalls memories of blighted hopes and disappointments; but even these 

 are not to be despised if they are turned to good account. 



To this end various questions come to mind for solution as we contem- 

 plate the origin of the disease and the progress that has been made in 

 eradicating it before it eradicates the fortunes of those who are interested 

 in the growing of such a desirable fruit. 



It might not help us to a remedy for peach yellows to know whose orchard 

 produced the first tree affected by it, or whether the proprietor propagated 

 from it as a new and choice variety, and sold the trees at a fancy price and 

 the fruit for its beauty and flavor; but it would be a source of satisfaction 

 to know the conditions, circumstances, soil, and surroundings of the tree 

 which developed the first germs of such an insidious enemy to our choicest 

 peach belts. 



HOW DID IT originate? 



Was there a malaria peculiar to peach-growing districts, generated by 

 exhalations from decaying leaves and wood? Did the growing trees exhaust 

 the vitalizing elements of the atmosphere essential to peach perfection in 

 wood and fruit? Who can tell? Causes often open the way to cures. If 

 we knew the former we might successfully strive for the latter. The invis- 

 ible germs of disease are often more to be feared than disease itself. Is 

 this disease, peach yellows, of long duration? Have great efforts been 

 made to eradicate it? How long did it blight the growing tree and destroy 

 the ripening fruit before it was recognized as an enemy to the peach 

 industry? 



