MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 



GRAPE ROT. 



From time to time duriug the latter part of 1878, and during the summer 

 of the present year, the secretary had numbers of letters inquiring about a dis- 

 ease of the grape that began with a little black speck u])on the berry, and very 

 soon spread over entire bunches, oftentimes to the whole crop of a vine, and 

 occasionally to tlie entire product of a vineyard. These communications came 

 from the vicinity of Detroit and places along the line of the Michigan South- 

 ern railroad as far west as Three Eivers. 



Grape rot had been a topic for discussion at gatherings of fruit-growers in 

 adjoining states for a year or more, but when brought up as a question for dis- 

 cussion at our own quarterly sessions, no one seemed to have been troubled 

 with the malady, and hence little or nothing of importance has emanated 

 from these gatherings, save an article by Prof. Cook, which was read in Feb- 

 ruary, 1878, at a meeting in Allegan, in which he enunciated the idea that there 

 was some probability in the theory that the prevalence of grape rot and phyl- 

 loxera bear some relationship to each other. In the west, center and north 

 of this state, there has been no indication of grape rot save that which results 

 from punctures of the curculio. 



Under the supposition, however, that the disease was liable to spread over the 

 entire vineyard interest of the state, and feeling tliat as much information as 

 possible should be gathered in preparation for this event, the secretary des- 

 patched tlie following circular to above twenty pomologists in and out of tl>e 

 state, who might be supposed to have had some experience with the disease. 



Micir. State Pom'l Society, ) 



Secretary's Office, Grand Rapids, [- 



Aicg^cst 16, 1870. ) 



My Dear Sir : I am anxious to secure a pretty full account of the grape-rot 

 in Michigan and adjoining states, as well as the opinions of prominent horti- 

 culturalists concerning the disease. 



Will you be so kind as to write me quite fully any facts about tlie malady 

 that may have come under your observation ; also your opinion as to the cause 

 of and the most promising methods of combating the disease. 



Please suggest the best means of ascertaining further facts npon the subject 

 and give me the privilege of publishing your reply in my volume for 1879. I 

 AYOuld like an answer bv September. Yours truly, 



CHAS. W. GARFIELD. 



