LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



SIR : In accordance with your request I submit herewith a report on 

 the evidence now at hand respecting the communicability of peach 

 yellows. 



Although some of the experiments described in the following pages 

 have not been completed, it has been thought best to report upon 

 them all at this time, so that peach-growers, and more especially scien- 

 tific workers, may know not only just what has been done, but also 

 what is now under way. To make the report complete the beginnings 

 of certain experiments from the first bulletin on yellows have been 

 repeated. A brief account of the disease, for the sake of those into 

 whose hands the former report did not fall and also for a clearer 

 understanding of what follows, has also been prefixed. 



The histological and bacteriological part of this inquiry is as yet 

 incomplete, and for this reason it is omitted entirely. In accordance 

 with your instructions no report on the effect of fertilizers will be made 

 until the results of a third year's work can be included. 



A peach disease prevalent in Georgia and Kansas has also received 

 considerable attention. This was formerly confused with yellows, but 

 is now believed to be distinct and is so described. It is a disease of 

 the same peculiar type as yellows and may be considered very properly 

 in connection with the latter. The inoculations herein described demon- 

 strate for the first time its dangerous, contagious nature, and point to 

 prompt destruction as the best method of dealing with affected trees. 



In conclusion, thanks are due to many peach-growers who have fur- 

 thered my inquiries, and very especially to the men whose names are 

 mentioned in the body of this report and whose warm interest in 

 in the advancement of horticulture has made them willing, even at a 

 personal sacrifice, to place their orchards and nurseries at the disposal 

 of the Department for experimental purposes. Without this cordial 

 cooperation much of my labor would necessarily have been fruitless. 

 Kespectfully, 



ERWIN F. SMITH, 



Special Agent. 



B. T. GALLOWAY, 



Chief of Division. 



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