WINTER MEETING. 261 



19. What is meant by a cutting ? 



The last year's growth cut from a plant, intended for propagation without 

 grafting. 



20. What is meant by a graft ? 



That union of the scion and the stock, thus forming a new plant of which the 

 scion determines the variety. 



21. Name the animals and birds which are enemies of fruits. 

 Rabbits, mice, gophers, moles, cedar-birds, blue jays. 



22. Name the diseases and fungus growths which retard the growth of fruits. 

 Rust, mildew, blight, scab, rot, yellows, rosette, black-knot. 



23. Name the hindrances to fruit-tree culture. 



Injurious inescts, fungus growth, atmospheric changes, adaptability of soil. 



24. What, do you think, are some of the greatest hindrances in the horticul- 

 turist himself? 



Want of knowledge, lack of adaptability and love for the work ; carelessness. 



25. What are fungi? 



A fungus (plural, fungi) is a plant of simple organization, without either leaf 

 or flowers, which is never colored green. The fungi are dependent on organic 

 matter for their existence, and they obtain this either from dead plants or animals 

 or from living plants or animals. The parasitic fungi, like the rusts, smuts and 

 mildews of cultivated groups, and bacteria, which cause the blight of the pear 

 and many of the contagious diseases of animals, are illustrations of the class which 

 feed on living beings. The mushroom, and the moulds which occur on cheese and 

 other food, illustrate the fungi which live upon dead organic matter. 



26. What is leaf-blight ? 



A special fungus growth which attacks the leaf growth. 



27. What is meant by twig-blight on fruit trees? 



A special fungus which attacks the current year's growth and kills it. 



28. What are the yellows and rosette on the peach-tree ? 



They are diseases of fungus growth which attack the fruit, leaves, and finally 

 twigs of peach-trees, causes them to turn yellow and drop, and finally kill the 

 trees, 



29. What is the black-knot on the cherry and plum-tree? 



It is a knot of fungus growth which comes on the branches of the trees, and 

 finally spreads to other branches until it destroys the tree. 



30. What is a fungicide ? 



A copper solution which is used to prevent the fungi from growing on trees 

 and plants. The best fungicide is the Bordeaux mixture, 



31. Name the birds useful to the fruit-grower. 



All birds, except the English sparrow, the blue-jay and cedar bird. 



32. Name the methods of encouraging these helpers to man in fruit-growing. 

 Encouraging them by giving them protection and furnishing them food. 



33. Give best soil, exposure and distance for planting peach orchard ? 



The highest, driest soils of our State, and the high lands in South Missouri are 

 the best ; the best exposure is the north side of the hills. Distance 16^ feet by 16J 

 feet. 



34. Give best soil, exposure and distance for planting apple orchard? 



The timber soils and blufl lands are the best ; any exposure will answer. Dis- 

 tance 25 feet to 30 feet by 25 feet to 30 feet. 



35. Give best soil, exposure and distance for planting cherry orchard? 

 Highest and driest soil ; south slope ; 20 feet by 20 feet. 



36. Give best soil, exposure and distance for planting plum orchard ? 



