1885.] TRANSACTIONS. 23 



are entirely blight proof, but the disease* spreads so slowly in some that 

 they receive little injury, especially when not making too rapid growth. 

 The reason why the blight when seen in July and later, does not pass 

 directly from one limb to another, or from one tree to another, is 

 because in the first place the germs can not escape, being confined by 

 the bark, or else escape in a viscid exudation which holds them firmly 

 together, and in the second place there are very few places on the tree 

 at this time of year where the surface tissues are sufficiently tender for 

 them to find an entrance. 



This suggests thoughts regarding preventives and remedies. Do 

 not force the trees into too rapid growth by heavy fertilizing or other- 

 wise. Place no confidence in sulphur, lime, or washes and application 

 of any sort. Promptly remove every trace of the disease a foot or 

 more below the lowest spot where it shows, and burn the branches." 



The question arises — wherefore those "living germs" 

 (bacteria)? What has caused their development, in these recent 

 years, that did not induce to a similar formation and malignant 

 activity before ? Most plagues that have devastated the human 

 race are greatly mitigated ; so that their re-appearance is scarcely 

 dreaded. Why, then, this vegetable blight, omnipresent, that 

 gives no premonition, but is alike swift and fatal ! Amputation, 

 or excision, advised as the sole remedy, has long been tried ; now 

 and then witli good results ; oftener, as it seemed, with the 

 effect of accelerating and increasing the injury already done. 

 While WG should ever be ready to accord a glad welcome to 

 Science, let us insist also that she hold herself prepared to 

 demonstrate beyond even cavil, the absolute truth of her claims. 

 The establishment of a Horticultural or Pomological Experiment 

 Station, within this great fruit-growing County of Worcester, 

 has been suggested in these Keports. Is it not likely that it 

 might find a broad enough field for investigation ? Why should 

 not the considerable sums now worse than wasted, in the form 

 of monetary bounties to Agricultural Societies, be applied and 

 utilized in some such way ? Those Societies now enjoy entire 

 immunity from taxation. Should not that suffice for aught but 

 an insatiate craving? 



By the death of Dr. William Workman, this Society has lost 

 a life-long and consistent friend. His name is conspicuous upon 



* High authorities, notably Prof. Meehan, doubt that the N. Y. Station is 

 familiar with the dreaded and genuine Fire Blight. E. W. L. 



