550 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Spraying for the apple scab at the experimental station, at the Agricultural college of 

 Michigan, in 1888, rive different solutions we r e used. Two of these only gave good 

 results, viz., the copper sulphate and copper carbonate and ammonia. These experi- 

 ments were applied upon a certain number of "Spy " trees from the 24th of May to the 

 1st of August, seven applications in all. Of the^e two solutions the one known as 

 "modified eau celeste" gave the best results. In this case 70 per cent, of the fruit was 

 free from scab, while the next best saved 53 per cent., and the unsprayed trees showed 

 only 15 per cent, of sound fruit. These experiments were conducted by Prof. Taft, of 

 the station, with the following solution, viz., copper carbonate 3 oz , ammonia 1 qt. r 

 water 22 gal. — This was the 70 per cent. Prom certain indications of the foliage the 

 Professor concluded that the solution was too strong and recommended the use of 32 

 gallons of water, instead of 22. Prof. Fairchild, of the Department of Vegetable Path- 

 ology at Washington, in an address delivered before the Western New York Horti- 

 cultural society, at Rochester this winier, on the fungi diseases of fruit, recommended 

 a formula nearly identical in proportions with that of Prof. Taft, viz., 5 oz. of copper 

 carbonate dissolved in three pints of the strongest water of ammonia, 20 per cent., and 

 diluted with 50 gallons of water. By using a common kerosene barrel, holding about 

 50 gallons, this formula will be a convenient one for practical use in our orchards and 

 vineyards. Cost of the compound: 



Copper carbonate, 5oz. 80 18% 



Ammonia, 3 pints 52% 



Water, 50 gallons 00 



Total - $0 71^ 



This is the estimate of cost when the materials are procured in a small way. If pur- 

 chased in bulk, the cost would be considerable less; perhaps 25 or 40 per cent. This 

 formula, although specially recommended for the fungi affecting the apple and grape, 

 would doubtless prove efficacious for ihe plum and cherry rot and fungi generally. 



The time of application is an important consideration ai d upon which may depend 

 success or failure. The experiments at the station were commenced, as before stated, 

 on the 24th day of May, two days after the trees had been sprayed for the codlin moth, 

 and ended on the 1st of August, seven applications in all. If the season is favorable, 

 not too showery, Prof. Taft thinks three applications would be sufficient, and in one or 

 two of these applications the London purple or Paris green insectic de may be added, 

 thus reducing the time and labor of two applications to one. In the formula for the 

 50 gallons, 3 to 4 ounces of London purple should be used; 3 ounces would be safer than 

 4. We can not too strongly recommend the general use of these insecticides and fungi- 

 cides. These insects and fungi, if not checked in their onward march of destruction by 

 a general warfare, will sooner or later render all our efforts in horticulture abortive. 



After the paper. Mr. Smith said that we must experiment about mixing 

 together insecticides and fungicides, as it had not been practically tested. 



Mr. Cook spoke of an experimenter who suspended plates of polished 

 steel above the ground. The next morning he found fungi on the under 

 side of the plates, which showed that they had passed up from the ground. 

 The theory is that they rise from the ground and find lodgment on the 

 fruit and grow. It depends upon moisture and stillness of atmosphere. 

 I have found it on peaches on low ground, while on high ground, where 

 there was a current of air, there was no fungus disease. Moist, still, warm 

 weather is unfavorable. I have known it to stop on a change of weather. 

 Cooler and windy weather is favorable. The ground should be turned 

 under with the plow. It is worse on trees standing in grass. 



Mr. W. A. Brown: We should plant only the varieties least subject to 

 disease. Some of our best apples are rendered almost worthless by apple 

 scab, and so with pears. White Doyenne, formerly fair, became worthless 

 by scab. 



Mr. S. H. Comings: No doubt the source of contagion is in fallen fruit. 

 We sometimes see an apple with one side shriveled up and the other side 

 apparently sound. It is a mysterious thing and requires deep study. We 

 were told long ago that the time will come when we shall have dominion 



