480 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 



leaves." * * * "Itinvariably puts out these small, imperfect 

 shoots, with yellow, sickly foliage. This is what people call 

 Yellows. I would like to know what other disease trees die of, 

 or if there is any other way. If so, I would like to know whal 

 the appearances were." — Horticulturist, 18G1, p. 129. 



It seems, then, that the peach tree dies of premature old age 

 in N«w Jersey before it arrives at tlie period of puberty, and 

 that the peach-growers consider this the normal and proper 

 way to die, and wonder if any one pretends there is any other 

 way. 



Now the condition of enfeebled vitality, which would natur- 

 ally result from the methods of culture pursued in many sec- 

 tions of the country, would give just the conditions in which 

 a contagious disease would most easily be contracted, and in 

 which it would work with the greatest virulence. Or, if the 

 disease is caused by a fungus growth attacking the tree, then 

 this enfeebled condition would itself invite the attack of 

 fungus, for it is upon this class of vegetable structures that 

 fungus growths most readily attach themselves and work with 

 the greatest energy. Impaired vitality invites the attack of 

 parasites. The stunted apple tree is most liable to the bark- 

 louse, and it is the starved calf that wants to scratch its back 

 in spring. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



On the subject of the contagious character of the Yellows I 

 have but little to say, as I have had but little experience, and 

 many leading pomologists disagree among themselves on this 

 point. Mr. Eeid of New Jersey denies any contagious char- 

 acter in the Yellows ; Mr. Barry of New York doubts ; but 

 the very careful and candid statements of Mr. Thomas in the 

 horticultural editorials of the Country Gentleman, of Mr. 

 Fay in the Prairie Farmer, and of other gentlemen, go to 

 clearly prove the contagious character of some forms of the 

 Yellows. But whether contagious or not, I believe with Down- 

 ing, "it is much the wisest to reject the benefit of the doubt, 



