No. 4.] FRUIT GROWING. 133 



Mr. WlLLARD. If you can anticipate it, I would spray 

 with the Bordeaux mixture before the trees leaf out ; but I 

 am not sure that we can do that thimr. The curl leaf I do 

 not think is to be feared as many do. We have known what 

 it was for years, but we do not get it but once in three or 

 four years. It was about the country last year, and cost 

 the country a good many peaches. Of course there is a 

 difference in varieties. The Elberta is the most seriously 

 affected of any variety I know of. I think a proper spray- 

 ing with Bordeaux mixture before the leaves come out will 

 prevent it. 



Mr. Manning. Have you seen the fruit of the October 

 Purple plum? 



Mr. Willard. I have raised it on my own grounds. I 

 believe I was the first man to set a bud. 



Mr. Manning. Some that were raised in California were 

 said to measure seven inches in circumference, and I have 

 raised some equally as large and as fine, and I think a great 

 deal of it. 



Adjourned at 4.10. 



In the evening, from 7.30 to 9.30 o'clock, a reception 

 was tendered the members of the Board of Agriculture and 

 others attending the meeting, at the chapel of the Massa- 

 chusetts Agricultural College. The gathering was large and 

 the occasion was a thoroughly enjoyable one. 



