Sr:CrvETARY'S rORTFOLIO. 363 



Objections have been made to the probability of the blight being attributable 

 to a fungoid growth, the isolated appearance of the disease being cited, against 

 the probability of its being of fungoid origin, because, it is argued, if that is 

 the cause why does it not attack all trees alike, or all parts of the same tree? 

 Why should it appear, for instance, on one branch and not on the adjoining 

 shoots? These questions are unanswerable. Xo one can say why it is so; but 

 the inability to answer such questions cannot invalidate the fact that the 

 fungoid growth is present, because ocular demonstration shows that it is there. 

 AVc see the mistletoe, another parasite, attack a certain portion of a certain 

 tree, but we do not deny its existence on that portion because we do not find 

 it on every limb or on every bianch of tlie tree. No person can say why this 

 parasite has not attacked every limb, neither can any one say why the parasite 

 on the pear tree, which causes blight, does not envelope the entire tree. The 

 two cases are exactly similar. 



Another drawback to pear culture is the tendency of the fruit of some of 

 the best varieties to split or crack open, and become useless. Various theories 

 have been advanced with reference to the cause of this affection. For a long 

 time the opinion prevailed that it was owing to a deficiency of certain mineral 

 ingredients in the soil, and various remedies based on this assumption were 

 freely dispensed and tried, but with indifferent success. Whenever you are at 

 a loss to account for some unusual result or strange phenomena in vegetation, 

 it is always safe to refer it either to electricity or some deficiency in the 

 mineral or inorganic matters of the soil. Nobody will seek to contradict the 

 assertion, because they are equally ignorant as to its meaning, and many per- 

 sons will consider it an evidence of great erudition and wisdom. 



The cracking of the pear is caused by mildew, resulting from atmospheric 

 influences. Many convincing experiments have been made showing that shelter 

 or protection prevents it, even on varieties the most seriously affected, such as 

 the White Doyenne, probably the best of all pears. These experiments need 

 not now be detailed. 



OUR PRESENT YELLOWS LAW. 



A BILL to prevent the spread of the Yellows, a contagious disease among 

 Peach, Nectarine, and other trees, and to extirpate the same. 



Section J. The People of the State of Michigan enact, That it shall be 

 unlawful for any person to keep any peach, nectarine or other trees infected 

 with the contagious disease known as the yellows; or to offer for sale or ship- 

 ment, or to sell or ship to others, any of the fruit thereof; and no damages 

 shall be awarded in any court in this State for the destruction of such diseased 

 trees or fruit, as hereinafter provided ; and it shall be the duty of every citi- 

 zen, as soon as he becomes aware of the existence of such disease in any tree 

 or fruit owned by him, to forthwith destroy or cause the same to be destroyed. 



Sec. 2. In any township in this State in which such contagious disease ex- 

 ists, or in which there is good reason to believe it exists, or danger may be 

 apprehended of its introduction and spread, it shall be lawful for any five or 

 more resident freeholders of the same place or any adjoining townships to set 

 forth such fact, belief, or apprehension, in a petition addressed to the board 

 of such township, requesting them to appoint three commissioners, as herein- 



