Division of Horticulture. 



SAMUEL T. MAYNARD 



EXPERIMENTS WITH FUNGICIDES AND INSECTICIDES. 



The season just past has been one not generally favorable for the 

 growth of fungous pests. Most of these parasitic plants require a 

 moist, warm atmosphere and even liquid upon the surface of the part 

 of the host plant attacked, for their development.* The dry weather 

 during June and Juh' was entirely unfavorable to such growths, so 

 that our fruit and garden crops were more free from injury than 

 usual, except such as matured late in the season. During the warm, 

 wet weather of Septea^ber, the grape mildew appeared in considerable 

 quantities, too late, however, to affect the fruit seriously, and the 

 apple scab, celery rust and some other fungous diseases appeared in 

 many localities. 



In Bulletin No. 13, we described the best fungicides, as far as was 

 known, and the methods best adapted to their use in destroying fungi, 

 outlining the work so as to obtain the best results. 



To assist in settling the question of the general and economical use 

 of fungicides, and combined fungicides and insecticides, a series of 

 experiments was started in the different parts of the state under the 

 supervision of expert fruit growers. 



Among those taking part in this work were Dr. Jabez Fisher, 

 Fitchburg ; G. B. Andrews, Fitcliburg ; A. C. Hawkins, Lancaster ; 

 Benj. P. Ware, Clifton ; H. A. Cook, Shrewsbury and E. A. Esta- 

 brook, Grafton. A series of experiments was also conducted at 

 " Forest Orchard," Northboro. 



Spraying apparatus was loaned and the chemicals supplied to each 

 of the above parties, in consideration of careful and accurate work 

 and a full report of the results. The places were visited in the 

 spring to assist in planning and stalling the work and at intervals 

 during the summer to watch the progress of the experiments and note 

 results. The reports of these experiments are given on subsequent 

 pages. 



*For a brief sketch of the history of the growth of the most destructive of these parasitic 

 plants, see subsequent pages. 



