Rain at Blooming -time. 339 



Card* has made experiments in the spraying (to 

 imitate rain) of raspberries : "It is generally sup- 

 posed that rainy and cloudy weather at blossoming 

 time is injurious to the fruit crop, and the ques- 

 tion occurs whether frequent spraying with water at 

 this period would produce any noticeable effect. On 

 June 15, 1892, spraying was begun on Caroline, 

 Cuthbert and Turner raspberries. At that time the 

 Caroline was well in bloom, while the others were 

 scarcely beginning to bloom. The spraying was con- 

 tinued until July first, two to four times each, day 

 when the weather was bright and pleasant, but 

 omitted when there were rains to take its place. 

 Showers were frequent during the period, but were 

 well interspersed with bright weather and sunshine. 



"The results were entirely negative, showing no 

 effect whatever from the spraying. The fruits on 

 this portion of the row were just as perfect and 

 abundant, and the plants appeared to suffer no more 

 from fungous diseases than those not sprayed. It is 

 to be noted, however, that the conditions were not 

 the same as those present in continuous cloudy 

 weather, for during much of this time the weather 

 was bright, and insects were numerous, and continued 

 working among the blossoms regardless of their being 

 wet, so that opportunities for pollination were good. 

 The test is of interest as showing that there need be 

 no fear of interfering with pollination by spraying for 

 insects or diseases, even if necessary to do it at 

 blossoming time. Of course, it should not be done 



Fred W. Card, Bull. 57, Cornell Exp. Sta. 



