12 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



western border of onr State. The part of this strip of land already under cul- 

 tivation and planted to fruifs of various kinds, particularly the peach, has 

 been brought to such condition at great expense of time, labor, and money; 

 and at one time the investment bid fair to become an amply paying one, but, 

 like almost every other enterprise, the peach-growmg interest has its troubles. 



The peach tree, being a native of a warmer climate than our own, is consti- 

 tutionally tender; therefore it is more susceptible to disease and injury, when 

 grown in our northern climate, than are our indigenous trees. 



For the benefit of fruit-growers and fruit-eaters, this association has, very 

 wisely yimr committee think, put forth its energies to Investig.ite the causes of 

 injury to trees, whether by insects or disease. Investigations have been com- 

 menced, and some valuable reports made thereon. 



It is by study and close observation, and by familiar intercourse with each 

 other, that we gain information upon these subjects. Through the researches 

 of your committees from time to time, the lectures, and the familiar talks, and 

 the exhibition of specimens of horticultural products at our periodical meet- 

 ings, a vast amount of sci'-ntific, theoretical, and practical information has 

 been elicited that has proved not only interesting to all who have had the 

 opportunity of listening to the speakers, or reading the reports of the Society's 

 proceedings, or of examining the specimens of horticultural products exhibited, 

 but of great practical value also. 



Diseases sometimes attack and destroy our trees in as unaccountable a 

 manner as the cholera appears and disappears; in its course carrying off the 

 old and the young, the rich and the poor alike of the human family ; it some- 

 times seems to be contagious, and sometimes not; sometimes the cause of its 

 spread seems to be atmospheric, and sometimes not. It is so with a disease 

 that sometimes attacks and destroys peach trees, viz. : the Yellows. 



THE NECESSITY OF THE COMMITTEE. 



It is feared by some that this disease has already made its appearance among 

 the peach trees of Michigan ; therefore, it is of gre it importauce to the peach- 

 growers of this State that all the means within the power of this Society to 

 command should be used to investigate the cause of any and all diseases that 

 injure the trees, and to seek a cure therefor. For the fnrtheranc- of this 

 object, the Society has, from time to time, appointed committees io investigate, 

 and i-eport the result of their investigations. Some very able reports have 

 already been made, and the Society, hoping to collect further information, and 

 to make some discoveries not yet reported, did, at its meeting in February last, 

 adopt the following resolution, viz. : 



" Resolved, Tliat a committee of five be appointed, to consist of three Pomol'^i^ist?, one 

 Microscopist, and one Cliemist, to wliicli slmll be referred llie question of tlie Yellows in 

 tlie peacli in our State ; tbal lliey shall vi^t anv district in which any accused disease ma3'- 

 ex'St wliich may or may not be contagious Yellows ; they shall cause careful microscop- 

 ical and cliemical invesii;.'aiions to he made ot healthy and diseased wood, leaves, and 

 fruit; also chemical analyses of soils which may aid in such investigations, and shall report 

 at the meeting of the Sociei}' at the annual lair in 1873." 



Under this resolution a committee was appointed. That committee com- 

 menced work at once by issuing the following circular, viz. : 



TO PEACH GROWERS. 



The committee appointed by the Michigan State Pomolon-ical Society, at its meeting ia 

 February, 1873, lo investigate the suhject ol the Yellows i a Peach Trees, and report thereon, 

 respectfully submit the fuHowing questions to peach growers, in order to elicit information 



