THIRTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 65 



However the question of interest after great depredations, is that of 

 reconstruction. The growers of Berrien county, though vanquished for a 

 time, soon regained their former standing. The history of their successes 

 is one of actual results, that have been obtained in every district where 

 reconstruction has been attempted. 



LITTLE PEACH. 



When the smoke of the battle with ''yellows" was fairly well settled 

 in those regions where the contest had been the fiercest, another disease 

 of more than local importance, suddenly appeared in the southwestern 

 part of Allegan county, upon the announcement by Prof. Taft that it was 

 something new and unnamed. For the lack of a more appropriate term, 

 it was designated as "little peach." This was the year 1895. The past 

 twelve years has been sufficient time for it to become disseminated very 

 thoroughly. Although in general it has not caused the damage that the 

 "yellows" did, still most of those who have met it, would much prefer to 

 fight the latter. . Time does not allow of a full description of its record, 

 but the fact should be emphasized that it can be controlled The combined 

 work of Professors Taft and Waite, and the experiences of hundreds of 

 successful growers, established the truth beyond argument. It has simply 

 been the old story of eradication and complete destruction of every diseased 

 tree; being willing to sacrifice a little for the good of many. While the cause 

 of the disease, is even now as much unknown as that of the "yellows," and 

 it has produced discouragements to nearly the same extent; it has likewise 

 contributed approximately as much to success in the culture of peaches 

 through a stimulus to effort on the part of the growers. 



SAN JOSE SCALE. 



The discouragements that have been mentioned thus far, belong to the 

 great class of natural enemies, known as disease; and we come to one which 

 is classed among the insects, and bears the familiar name of San Jose scale. 

 This is another contribution to our State from the nurseries of the east. 

 While Michigan growers were reading of its destruction in the east and west, 

 and rejoicing in the fact that it was so far removed, they suddenly received 

 a chill of terror in the year 1897, on hearing that it had been discovered 

 within our own borders. During the next four years, as it spread out over 

 the southern portion of the fruit belt, the growers were in despair but at the 

 critical time, the experiment stations and experienced growers of other 

 states sent us the glad news that the scale could be controlled. This caused 

 renewed activity in combating the pest, and consequently good results, 

 although this was not accomplished until many orchards had been destroyed. 

 Now the energetic grower has come to the conclusion that he need fear the 

 scale no longer, and in fact, that it is an advantage to him by forcing 

 out of business the shiftless grower who allows the scale to out-wit him. 



THE FREEZE. 



Of the agents of great destruction to peach interests, there remains one that 

 is heaviest upon us now — the freeze. This includes not only the ravages 

 of winter, but also those of October and May. Since the beginning of the 

 peach business in Michigan, there has always been considerable anxiety 

 concerning the safety of the buds. From early winter until the setting of 

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