STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



55 



by a dense white mycelium from which very many minute spores fall 

 in the course of the season. This Apple mildew (Sj)haerotheca castag- 

 nei) is more injurious than many of its relatives, since it does not con- 

 fine its attacks mainly or entirely to the leaves, but settles at once on 

 the twigs, which dwindle and die under its baneful influence. Like 

 the other true mildews, this forms its snowy spores only during the 

 open season, their place being taken, as winter approaches, by anoth- 

 er sort of fruit, visible to the naked eye as small black dots, in which 

 resting-spores are formed, capable of surviving the winter and further 

 propagating the disease the following spring. Accurate observations 

 on this parasite and its work and the results of experiments with sul- 

 phur, properly made kerosene emulsions and other substances destruc- 

 tive to it are much to be desired. 



If time permitted, attention 

 might be drawn to a considerable 

 number of other fungi that live on 

 the apple; some causing disease 

 and death, others merely living on 

 the dead portions, which they cause 

 to decay. No less than thirty-one 

 such species have been enumerated 

 by an Austrian botanist. I think, 



however, that while this paper is section through edge of Apple-scab, showing 

 r, .. . 11.1 the fungus in the epidermal cells. Much en- 



oi necessity very incomplete the laiged. 



subject has been carried far enough to show what some of the things 

 we know as fungi are, and why, when they live as parasites on culti" 

 vated plants, they are as destructive as experience shows them to be. 

 Knowledge of these minute beings is still in its infancy, and can be 

 advanced only by the most painstaking scientific investigation, sup- 

 ported by intelligent observation and experimentation on the part of 

 those who feel the need of such knowledge and will profit most by it. 

 Let us trust, therefore, that in its pursuit the practical man and the 

 scientist may join hands in harmonious work tending to the solution 

 of these problems in which both are interested. 



On motion the meeting then adjourned till 9 o'clock Thurday morn- 

 ing, June 25. 



