9 



Brown Rot. 



A discussion upon spraying of the peach would not be com- 

 plete without a word as to the serious outbreak of brown rot 

 which occurred in eastern and southern peach regions during 

 the summer of 1919. 



An attack upon the blossoms was followed by an extended 

 period of wet weather at ripening time, and some growers 

 suH'ered heavy losses in decayed fruit, especially of such varie- 

 ties as Champion. In looking for the cause of the great volume 

 of infection. Dr. M. T. Cook, plant pathologist of New Jersey, 

 found that the disease not only carried over from one season to 

 the next on the dried mummied peaches but also in cankers 

 on the new wood. These cankers continue to develop spores 

 during the early part of the summer, and infect the fruits 

 unless they are protected by spray. Thorough summer spraying 

 therefore protects not only the ripening fruit but keeps down the 

 number of cankers upon the branches. 



While brown rot was very severe during 1919, it is doubtful 

 whether weather conditions will prove as favorable for its de- 

 velopment in 1920, and a normal, thorough summer spraying 

 should hold it in check. The severe outbreak of brown rot in 

 1919 served to point out the weakness of some varieties of 

 peaches that are striving for popular favor. 



Varieties. 



Only a very few varieties of all that are introduced are able 

 to secure a place upon a list of the best five, and still fewer are 

 able to hold such a place for many years. It is of interest to 

 note that Oldmixon Free originated previous to 1800 and held 

 high commercial rank for a hundred years. Heath Cling ap- 

 parently originated before Oldmixon and is still planted in a 

 very limited way, but has never become as popular. 



Elberta, Carman and Greensbo rough are, therefore, all young- 

 sters who Avere almost unknown twenty-five years ago. Their 

 introduction was a distinct advance in hardiness, especially the 

 latter two. In the last few years no introduction has been able 

 to win a place from the leading sorts, yet we need better varie- 

 ties than any we now have that ripen before Elberta. 



