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V2 ‘ 
238 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. or 
Throughout the year the duties of the section have been carried 
forward energetically, and its published reports | have met with the 
heartiest approval of fruit-growers and farmers. Theconstantly in- ~~ : 
creasing correspondence of this section clearly demonstrates the ap-. 
preciative interest taken in its work. 
The report on the fungus diseases of the vine, referred to in my | 
last report as being in preparation, was euilieg di in December, and ~ 
its favorable reception by the public press and by grape-growers all 4 
over the country give assurance that it has been the means of ac- 
complishing much practical good. The first edition of this report is 
now nearly exhausted, and I hope to be able to prepare a second and 
enlarged edition, hon shall embrace the discoveries made during — 
the present season and combine the results of the recent French in- 
vestigations, both upon the diseases of the vine and the efforts which 
have been made in France to combat them. 
During the present season the French Government has sent to this 
country a special commissioner for the purpose of investigating our 
methods of- viticulture and the fungus diseases to which our vines ~ 
are subject. All possible facilities for the furtherance of his work 
have been afforded this commissioner through the section, and the 
most cordial relations have been established between those now spe- 
cially engaged in investigating diseases of the vine in France and in 
the United States, which will doubtless result in good to both coun- 
tries. The chief of the section has visited the more important vine- 
growing regions of the United States, in company with the French 
agent, and a full and complete report covering the entire subject of 
vine diseases is expected as the result of the investigation made. 
A new disease has appeared in the vineyards of California, and in 
response to requests for its investigation I have directed an agent to 
visit the infected districts and to investigate this malady, in the hope 
of protecting the vine-growers of the State from the threatened de- 
struction of their vineyards. 
Special experiments in the treatment of grape mildew and rot have 
been made in a number of vineyards especially selected for the pur- 
pose, with the view of determining the relative efficacy and cost of 
the several treatments suggested. The data thus gathered have led 
to some valuable conclusions, and will be of the utmost service in 
conducting future operations. 
Karly in the season a circular giving formule of the most ap- 
proved remedies for mildew and rot of grapes was widely dis- 
tributed, and many responses giving results of experiments have 
been received. «It has been demonstrated by these operations that, 
in order to obtain the best results in experimenting with remedies, 
the work should be done immediately under the direction of a per- 
son thoroughly conversant with the nature and habits of the fungi 
to be treated, and who can remain in the field and daily watch the 
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