STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 133 



which is very troublesome to you is the plum disease known as 

 black knot. This can be overcome to a great extent by simply 

 paring off the knot and then covering the limb with linseed oil, 

 turpentine or shellac to kill spores. The parts cut off should be 

 carefully burned. 



There are myriads of microscopical germs floating in the air which 

 collect upon the limb and form the fungous growth. Then there is 

 the disease known as grape rot. In this section it is too cool for 

 this and the germs which produce this disease don't propagate so 

 readily. Sulphate of copper mixed with lime and ammonia made 

 jnto a wash destroys these germs, and is an effective remedj-. 



The duty of the division of which I have charge, is to aid the 

 fruit grower by obtaining information in regard to the names of 

 fruits, to gather knowledge in regard to the fruits themselves, but 

 we have no means of gathering statistics. It requires eighty men 

 to run the statistical part of the Agricultural Department, with 

 salaries ranging from fSOO to $3,000 per year, besides about 100 

 agents in the field, and to undertake to gather statistics in regard to 

 fruits would be still more difficult. 



I will say in my official capacity, I will be glad to do whatever I 

 can do to aid you if you will address me at Washington. No doubt 

 many of you have varieties of fruit of which you do not know the 

 names. If 3'ou will send me a card at Washington, I will send you 

 government franks and boxes prepared for the purpose, so that you 

 can send us specimens and we will do what we can to furnish you 

 the information required. 



A great many circulars have been sent out by the Pomological 

 Department asking for information in regard to how fruits are doing. 

 We want to know of the successes and of the failures. All of the 

 members of this society are already registered in my department at 

 Washington, and we will be glad to have all whose names are not 

 upon our permanent list for receiving whatever information we have 

 to give from time to time, to place them there at once. 



