32 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



that but few attempts will be made in the near future to 

 grow this crop. 



The subject of spraying as a preventive for this trouble 

 has received considerable attention from this division for 

 several years. During the past season experiments were 

 made in co-operation with a local grower along the lines 

 which })revious experience had suggested. The details of 

 this work will be reserved for a bulletin ; but it may be said 

 here that, even where plants were thoroughly sprayed with 

 Bordeaux mixture, commencing early in July when the first 

 leaves developed, no effect could be seen upon the develop- 

 ment of the mildew. Spra3^ed and unsprayed plots and 

 fields were alike a complete failure. It therefore seems 

 quite evident that, so long as this disease continues to pre- 

 vail, the muskmelon cannot be grown here under ordinary 

 treatment. In seasons favorable to the plant, persistent 

 spraying with good culture ma}^ give some returns ; but in 

 a poor year the crop is almost sure to be a failiu'c, in spite 

 of anything which can be done to save it. The plant is too 

 poorly adapted to our climate to withstand a serious disease. 



An A])ple-leaf Spot. 

 One of the most frequent subjects of inquiry of this di- 

 vision during the past summer was a spotting and dying of 

 apple leaves, which occurred very generall}^ in this and other 

 States. The trouble was first noted in May or early June, 

 when trees affected showed a spotting of the leaves resem- 

 bling a fungous leaf spot. This occurred quite generally, 

 but usually on trees in pastures and by roadsides, rather 

 than in well-kept orchards. The spotting was also more 

 evident on low, frosty ground. AVith the advance of the 

 season the spotting became much more marked, the foliage 

 gradually tmriing yellow and dropping from the trees. 

 This became very noticeable and caused considerable alarm, 

 being in striking contrast to the usual health}'^ condition of 

 apple foliage. Good orchard trees were in few cases seri- 

 ously affected, though in some the spotting came on rather 

 late in the season. The trouble prevailed mostlj^ in neg- 

 lected trees growing under unfavorable conditions ; most 

 of these lost their leaves during the summer. 



