THE DISEASES OF THE PEACH TREE. 



THE KEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE YELLOWS IN THE PEACH. 



[Note.— At the February meeting of the society, Leld at Battle Creek, 1873, a committee 

 was appointed, to which was referred the question of the Yellows in the Peacli in this 

 State. That committee consisted of J. C. Holmes, formerly Professor of Horticulture in 

 the Acricultural College, Hon. H. G. Wells, President of the State Board of Agriculture, 

 ,and Hon. S. O. Knapp. aNo a member of the State Board of Agriculture. With them was 

 associated Prof. R. C. Kedzie, Professor of Chemistry, of the Agricultural College. This 

 committee made two reports, herewith submitted. 



The first was made at Kalamazoo, in June, 1873, the other at Grand Rapids, in Septem- 

 ber, 1873. The one is a review of the general question, a statement of the cause and 

 necessity of the institution of the committee, its working, plans, and operations, and with 

 it are letters received Irom gentlemen residing in various parts of the State. 



At the Kalamazoo meeting it was thought best that the Committee should take the field 

 and personally inspect the peach orchards of the peach belt. The second, or supplemental 

 report, details the travels, observations, and conclusions of the committee. 



In this connection it was thought best to place before the peach culturists of the State 

 th6 masterly essay of A. J. Downing on the subject of the Yellows. This is done with the 

 cheerful acquiescence of Mr. Charles Downing.. The whole report is a valuable colleci ion of 

 facts, histories, and conclusions, exceedingly complimentary to the industry and persever- 

 ence of the committee. — J. P. T.] 



EEPORT NO. 1. 



READ ON WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 25, 1S73, AT KALAMAZOO. BY PROP. J. C. HOLMES, OP 

 DETROIT, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMIT PEE, AT A MEETING OP THE STATE 



POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen : — The peach interest has become one of 

 great importance in this State, not only to the peach-growers themselves, but to 

 the State at large, and for many reasons. Among them we may mention the 

 fact that there are but very few persons who are not fond of this delicious 

 fruit, and we all like to see it so plentiful and cheap that the poorest as well as 

 the wealthiest citizens may enjoy the luxury of a frequent feast of peaches; 

 therefore all are, or should be, interested in the present and the continued 

 successful raising of peaches within tlie borders of Michigan. 



THE peach INTEREST AND ITS TROUBLES. 



Some disease seems to have attacked the peach trees in a portion of the 

 great fruit belt that lies along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, on the 



