38 massachusetts horticultural society. 



Conclusion. 



But why retain these experts permanently? For the same 

 reason that we retain our physicians, our surgeons, our veteri- 

 narians. Because new diseases and epidemics of old ones will be 

 constantly appearing. It requires the training and experience of 

 men who make Plant Pathology their business, to successfully 

 and profitably cope with these. The grower will never learn the 

 technique of plant pathology any more than he will that of veteri- 

 nary medicine, and he will soon learn that it is not only necessary 

 but highly profitable to pay for the services of expert plant doctors. 

 There will be a constantly increasing demand for the professional 

 plant pathologists in the conservation of our crop production. 



Discussion. 



The encouraging feature of Prof. Whetzel's lecture was that 

 the various plant diseases can be prevented or controlled by proper 

 and educated attention, which is greatly aided by the scientific 

 researches carried on by the agricultural colleges and the several 

 state experiment stations. 



There is a growing belief that lime and sulfur, with a small addi- 

 tion of arsenate of lead, are the best and most effective fungicide 

 and insecticide yet developed. Bordeaux mixture, hitherto relied 

 upon, has been found not wholly satisfactory, especially on fruit 

 trees, because of its injurious effect in the russeting of the fruit. 



Other points brought out in the discussion are herewith briefly 

 noted. 



Fire blight of fruit trees. This blight is carried by insects. 

 They deposit the bacteria in a wound on the tree and it is only In- 

 constantly inspecting and taking out the diseased portion that it 

 can be got rid of. Cut about four inches below the infection and 

 disinfect the cut with corrosive sublimate of a strength of 1 to 

 1000. 



Commercial and home made lime-sulfur. Home made lime- 

 sulfur, if made properly, is exactly as good as commercial lime- 

 sulfur. It can be made more cheaply at home, and there is no 



