8o A7inals of Horticultiire . 



" Turning now to the question as to what progress has been 

 made in the matter of treating these various troubles about 

 which so much is already known, we have only to point to 

 the almost universal success during the season in the treat- 

 ment of pear leaf-blight, pear and apple scab, black-rot of 

 the grape and blight or rot of the potato and tomato. In the 

 minds of investigators there is no doubt as to the effective- 

 ness of the copper compounds, carbonate or sulphate, in the 

 treatment of such superficial diseases as pear or apple scab. 

 The experiments the past year in Michigan, Wisconsin and 

 Maryland point strongly to the necessity of early treatment, 

 and although another season is necessary to prove fully the 

 truth of the statement, three sprayings before the fruit is half 

 an inch in diameter will in all probability protect the fruit 

 from the disease. Later treatment will probably be unneces- 

 sary, and, judging from the trials this year, are likely to prove 

 corrosive in their effect upon the skin of the pear and apple. 

 The pear leaf-blight has for several 3^ears defoliated the 

 orchards of both this country and Europe, but is now subject 

 to the will of every fruit grower who uses the means at his 

 command. The solutions most profitable in its treatment, 

 judging from the year's experiments, are the ammoniacal 

 copper carbonate solution (3 ounces of the carbonate to one 

 quart of the ammonia and 22 gahons of water) and the well 

 known Bordeaux mixture.* Three sprayings with either of 

 these solutions will undoubtedly preserve the foliage intact. 

 The mildews of the grape vine have received their usual at- 

 tention, especially in Italy and France, during the past year, 

 the question considered being simply new modes of cheapen- 

 ing the labor of application. 



''The discovery above mentioned of a promising remedy 

 for onion smut, the successful treatment of the holl5^hock an- 

 thracnose in the greenhouses of Peter Henderson with the 

 Bordeaux mixture, the prevention of the mignonette leaf 

 spot by the same remedy, and the highly satisfactory experi- 

 ments in this country and France toward checking, economi- 

 cally, the ravages of potato blight, all show the interest that 

 is being aroused on the subject of remedies for plant diseases. 

 The question of economy, which has until recently prevented 



Six pounds of copper sulphate, 4 pounds of lime and 22 gallons of water. 



