the writer has communicated with several reliable houses in some of 

 the larger cities of the state, and has received from those named 

 below favorable replies as to their readiness to fill orders promptly', 

 and as to prices. He can, therefore, recommend these firms to 

 persons wishing fungicide supplies, without in any respect implying 

 that there are not many others equally reliable : 



Weeks and Potter Co., 360 Washington St., Boston. 



Messrs. E. & F. King, Boston. 



Talbot Dyewood and Chemical Co., 24 & 26 Middle St., Lowell. 



Jerome Marble & Co., Worcester. 



Messrs. H. & J. Brewster, 463 Main St., Springfield. 



The writer wishes to express here his thanks to those leading 

 Agriculturists in several parts of the state who have furnished him 

 the addresses of these and other dealers in chemicals. 



Concerning the cost of the various materials named above, no very 

 exact figures can be given since prices vary with the state of the 

 market and according to the quantity ordered. Prices per pound are 

 considerably higher for small quantities than for larger ones and the 

 substances cost much less in original packages than in smaller lots. 

 A large saving can be effected if several persons will combine in 

 ordering what they need, both in the cost per pound of the chemicals 

 and in cost of transportation. The following quotations may be given 

 as the approximate prices of the various substances in small lots, at 

 retail ; and discounts from these prices will increase with the amount 

 of the order : 



Copper sulphate, 8 cents per pound. 



Copper carbonate, 60 " " " 



Ammonium carbonate, 15 '■'■ " " 

 Sodium carbonate, 3 " " " 



Aqua Ammonia, (24°) 10 " " "■ 



Potassium sulphide, 25 " " " 



Application. The one of the above fungicides chosen as most 

 available under existing conditions is now to be applied to the plants 

 which it is desired to protect against disease. In the special case of 

 the grain smuts, the onl}' effectual treatment is that applied to the 

 seed-grain, since these fungi depend for their propagation upon the 

 spores which adhere to the grain and germinate with it. They can- 

 not attack the host-plant after it has fairly passed the seedling stage, 

 and the adhering spores may be killed before planting without injury 

 to the seed. But ordinarily the fungicide must be thoroughly applied 

 to the whole of each growing plant in the form of a fine spray, so 



