XVIII REPOKT OF THE SECRETAEY OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the normal and abnormal or diseased condition of plants, on the 

 other hand no effort is spared to make the knowledge thus obtained 

 of practical use. Following are some of the results of the work of 

 the past year. 



PLANT DISEASES. 



PEAR BLIGHT. 



This disease, also known as fire blight or apple blight, is the cause 

 of heavy losses annually. It has been especially severe for the past 

 two years in the Southern and Pacific Coast States. The Department 

 several years ago discovered improved methods of treating this disease, 

 and during the past year a large field demonstration of the method 

 was made in Texas in a place where the disease was so severe as to 

 thoroughly test the treatment. This experiment, on a commercial 

 scale, w^as entirely successful. Four to five thousand bushels of fruit 

 were saved in the treated orchard, while in the untreated adjacent 

 orchard the fruit was destroyed by the disease and the trees greatly 

 injured. Similar demonstrations will be carried out next year in other 

 parts of the United States. 



LITTLE PEACH. 



Some important discoveries were made during the year in regard to 

 this rapidh^ spreading disease. In some respects it appears to be 

 almost as serious a trouble as the dreaded peach yellows, and, as in the 

 case of that disease, the Department recommends immediate destruc- 

 tion of the diseased trees. If this is promptly done the disease ma}^ be 

 largely stamped out. No resistant stocks have yet been found, though 

 careful search is being made for them. 



BITTER ROT OF APPLES. 



This disease is one of the worst with which the apple grower has 

 to contend. For the past three years it has destroyed millions of dol- 

 lars worth of fruit on the trees and millions of dollars worth in the 

 hands of commission men. The method of treating this disease has, 

 in the past, been only partially successful. An agent of the Depart- 

 ment has lately discovered that the infection spreads from diseased 

 canker spots on the limbs to the fruit. This discovery will enable us 

 to much more thoroughly control the disease, if not to prevent it 

 entirel}'. The spraying experiments this year have also been ver}' 

 successful. 



BACTERIAL DISEASE OF ENGLISH WALNUTS. 



One of the most important industries of southern California is the 

 growing of English walnuts. For several years a disease has been 

 gaining headway in the orchards and has caused great loss. The 



