Mificellaneous. 339 



PEACH DISEASES AND THEIR REMEDIES. 



Read before the Arkansas Horticultural Society in January, 19J8, by O. H. Dutclaer 



Warrensburg, Mo.) 



In the preparation of this paper I have endeavored to sup- 

 plement what little I may know about peaches with the best results 

 of the best and most noted growers and experimenters I could 

 find. I have tried to present these results in language all can read 

 and understand, that they may appear in your next report as a 

 handy reference for all who may be interested, but especially for 

 those just beginning the great industry of peach growing in 

 Southwest Arkansas. In so doing I have made free use of "Spray- 

 ing of Plants," by Lodeman; Bulletin No. 170 of the New York 

 Experiment Station at Geneva, N. Y. ; Bulletin No. 132, by Wilcox 

 of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Auburn, Alabama ; Bul- 

 letin No. 1, by Special Agent E. F. Smith of the United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture at Washington; Bulletin No. 20, by N. 

 B. Pierce of Santa Ana, California, and the State Horticultural 

 Reports of Missouri and Arkansas. 



I. — FUNGOUS DISEASES. 



We read of, and some of us are acquainted with, over a dozen 

 of these diseases, but many have duplicate names of the same 

 thing. Only six or eight then need engage our attention at this 

 time. 



1. Black Spot. — This is an unsightly disease, though not al- 

 ways very troublesom.e. It it a surface fungus upon the fruit, 

 and more severe on late varieties. It is well known throughout the 

 east and south. In Texas it is said to be especially troublesome. 

 It forms small dusky-brown or black spots upon the side of the 

 fruit, and large areas of the peach may be aifected. When severe 

 the growth of the affected portion is stopped, and frequently the 

 flesh cracks open to the pit. It is not known that the spores infest 

 the branches, but Mr. Pierce thinks they do, or at least they find 

 winter lodgment upon the tree itself. It is probably safe to say 

 that this is most likely the case in warm to very warm climates, 

 like California or our own southland. If so, winter spraying — 

 that is, before the buds begin to swell, as soon as the frost is out 

 of the ground, using 4 pounds of copper sulphate to 50 gallons of 

 water, will tend to disinfect the trees and greatly reduce, if not 



