342 State Horticultural Society. 



days, and continue at intervals from one to two weeks till the fruit 

 begins to ripen. This is good on all kinds of leaves. 



5. Leaf Sj^ot. — This disease, sometimes referred to as leaf 

 blight, and so discussed by Mr, Wilcox, is much like the ivinter 

 blight of Mr. Pierce, though thought to be produced by different 

 fungi. Mr. Wilcox says it is widely distributed on peach, cherry, 

 plum and apricot leaves; that minute spots occur after the leaves 

 are full grown, and often these spots fall out, producing a shot-hole 

 effect ; hence the name shot-hole fungus. The treatment for brown 

 rot and leaf curl is considered highly efficacious for this and all 

 similar diseases. 



6. Mildeiv. — The fungus that produces mildew attacks the 

 leaves, fruit and tender branches in the early part of summer. 

 Upon the leaves this fungus produces a thick covering of white my- 

 celia, which obscure the green covering underneath. When the 

 peaches are about half grown, occasionally white, powdery patches 

 appear upon their surfaces. If left unchecked, these patches be- 

 come brown and hard, and not unfrequently cause the peach to 

 crack. 



The branches furnish winter quarters for the spores, and sup- 

 ply the source of spring infection ; hence winter sprays are neces- 

 sary and should not be neglected. But as soon as the fruit is set 

 and the leaves begin to grow, use the dust fungicide at intervals of 

 not more than two weeks. The more frequent the better the result. 



7. Prune Rust. — From all I can learn, this trouble is much 

 more common in California, if not wholly confined to prune pro- 

 ducing sections. It seems to be like cedar rust in this section. 

 It should undoubtedly be treated as leaf curl and leaf rust. 



8. Sooty Mold — This is a fungous smut that appears on the 

 trunk, inner limbs and older bark of peach trees, and gives them a 

 black appearance. In California they use a winter spray of strong 

 Bordeaux mixture for it; but I am of the opinion that a wash of 

 two pounds of sal soda to five gallons of water will destroy this 

 fungus and keep the bark clean; and this opinion is founded on 

 actual experience. Like prune rust, it is largely a warm climate 

 trouble; hence quite prevalent in California. 



II. — INSECT PESTS. 



As to the remedy for such troubles of the fruit grower, I have 

 not changed my mind since your last annual session, unless it 

 may be said of me as it was once said of a non-convalescent, "I 

 am getting no better fast." As we should bear in mind that cop- 



