lti« MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



comparatively few. With the plums, I enclose a bunch of deformed foli- 

 age taken from my Wild Goose trees. There are quite a number of 

 these, but confined almost wholly to the Wild Goose variety. What, in 

 your opinion, is the cause these diseases.-* 



Yours truly, 



M. BUTTERFIELD. 



KiRKWOOD, Mo., May 28, 1888. 



Mr. Goodman. 



The box containing the " Bladder plums" was duly received. I had 

 often seen them before, but as I was not fully posted concerning the dis- 

 ease, I submitted them to Prof. Trelease, who says: " It is the work of 

 Taphrina {or Exoascus) primi, a widely distributed species on both 

 sides of the ocean. I do not think that late frost had anything to do 

 with the appearance of the disease. The common belief appears to be 

 that the fungus is perennial in the young wood and it has been recom- 

 mended that the diseased fruit be destroyed and the trees severely pruned 

 back. The velvety coating of the diseased fruit is composed of the spore 

 sacs of the fungus." 



Your correspondent also mentions a bunch of deformed foliage from 

 Wild Goose plum, which was not in the box, so I suppose it was occa- 

 sioned by some disease with which you were acquainted. 



I have my papers nearly ready for coming meeting of the Horti- 

 cultural society, but circumstances seem to combine to make it incon- 

 venient for me to be absent from home next week, so that I cannot yet 

 decide what I shall do about going. If I can overcome the difficulties in 

 the way, I will accept your very kind invitation and come to Kansas 

 City, on Saturday, by the day train, and go to Oregon with Mrs. Good- 

 man, if agreeable to her. Do not expect me however, as at present it 

 seems very doubtful about my being able to leave. 



Your last report is full of good things, although I do not think you 

 •'expanded" half as much as the place deserved, over the beauties and 

 promise o f the Olden Fruit Farms. I suppose it was due to a proprietor's 

 modesty. 



