360 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



cases thai ate purely seasonable, and for other reasons not controlla- 

 ble, an interesting one of this past season was the corn leaf-blight, 

 which, 1 think, must have been quite prevalent over the whole State, 

 although J know of it only in Centre and Chester counties. It caused 

 the leaves to dry prematurely, giving the appearance of having been 

 killed by frost. Slight rifts in the skin showed smut-like spores 

 of a peculiar structure. A knowledge of the life history of fungi 

 proves that this particular fungus caused the leaf drying. Presum- 

 ably, such affected plants were less fruitful than otherwise, and, par- 

 ticularly, ripened their grain less fully. But, fortunately, a generally 

 favorable season gave us, none the less, a corn crop remarkable for 

 its abundance. Probably some good observers among our farmers 

 could assign a particular figure, or percentage of loss, due to the 

 unwonted appearance of this fungus visitant. 



To my mind the most important matter of the season, was in the 

 receipt of samples of rape plants and rape seed from several widely 

 separated localities, with the inquiry whether they were of the true 

 rape useful for feeding purposes. Few matters illustrate so well the 

 value of a little, simple, technical knowledge. Rape is a general 

 name for several varieties of mustard-like plants which are grown 

 for two distinct purposes. First, for the seed, only, from which 

 rape-seed oil is produced; second, for succulent forage, to be used 

 particularly during late summer and fall. The first mentioned run 

 rapidly to seed, and produce but little and poor leafage; the sec- 

 ond are shorter stemmed with profuse growth of leaves, and usually 

 do not produce seed the first year in this climate. The best known 

 variety of this latter type is the Dwarf Essex rape, and this is what is 

 desired for forage and soiling purposes. Unfortunately, the speci- 

 men plants and seeds which I received were all of the first or oil- 

 producing type, and practically useless for forage. The growers 

 were, therefore, greatly disappointed and inconvenienced. Indeed, 

 it is probable that but few retail seed-dealers are acquainted with 

 these facts regarding rape or are able to distinguish the two types 

 of seed, since the differences are small and poorly defined. Reliance 

 must be placed upon the seed-grower and faith in his integrity. From 

 the carelessness of dealers, as shown in these cases referred to me, 

 I incline to think that a suit for damages would be the best correct- 

 ive. The purchaser has a right to expect not only clean seed, but 

 seed true to the particular type named. 



The CHAIRMAN: Dr. Funk is next on the program. 

 It appeared that Dr. Funk was not present. 



The CHAIRMAN: The Doctor not being present, we will pass to 

 the next topic, Report of the Committee on Fruit and Fruit Culture, 

 Mr. J. F. Boyer, Chairman. 



The SECRETARY: Mr. Chairman, I want to make a little explana- 

 tion; I think I got a letter into the hands of everyone stating why 

 it was that we met here. When the place for meeting came up I 

 secured, what I thought was the very best place in the city, the 

 United States Court room, and I thought there would be no trouble 

 about it, but after that arrangement w r as made it developed that 

 court would be held there on the date fixed f or our meeting. The 



