12 



Before purchasing either of the pieces of apparatus mentioned 

 above, one should obtain circulars or catalogue from the manufac- 

 turers and become thoroughly informed concerning it, so as to order 

 intelligently. , 



When to apply. As has been said, this question is of the first 

 importance in dealing with any disease, but the answer varies with 

 the case in hand. In general, however, -let it be remembered that 

 all treatment is preventive, that plants once attacked are lost, and 

 that spraying must therefore be prompt and early. In the case of a 

 disease of an herbaceous crop like potatoes, the first spraying should 

 be given at once on the appearance of the disease in any part of the 

 field or in a neighboring field. The same applies to diseases of 

 woody plants, which have previously been free from disease; but 

 where grapes or apples, for instance, were attacked last year, treat- 

 ment should begin with the beginning of growth and should proceed 

 on the assumption that the disease will re-appear if not prevented. 

 In any case, after spraying is begun it must be repeated until danger 

 is past, a very variable period, at intervals which may average ten days 

 or two weeks, but will vary according to cucumstances, depending 

 especially on the amount of rainfall, which washes the copper salts 

 from the plants and renders a new application necessary. It is 

 always best to leave an occasional plant or row of plants untreated 

 among the treated ones, to furnish a basis for judgment as to the 

 efficacy of the treatment. 



We wish to repeat that this Department is ready to supplement 

 the recommendations of this Bulletin in every possible way. It is 

 earnestly hoped that many persons in the state who have suffered in 

 the past from fungous diseases, will this year undertake definite 

 measures to avoid such losses, and will communicate early their 

 intention to do so, to the writer. Full details should be given of the 

 nature of the disease, the extent of its ravages in former years, and 

 the present condition of the orchard or vineyard, if the crop 

 concerned ])e a fruit crop. In case of a field on which some herba- 

 ceous crop is to be planted, which it is desired to protect from 

 disease, state what has been the history of the field for several years, 

 and how badly the crop in question has suffered on this or other 

 neighboring fields during the same time. 



Finally, let everyone who makes up his mind to keep up with the 

 times and protect his crops, equip himself thoroughly for the work. Let 

 him have the necessary apparatus on hand and ready for use, and 

 let them be the best things for the p-jrpose. It is useless to expect 

 good work from the use of unsuitable materials or poor tools. But 

 a single season's trial of thorough and suitable treatment will 

 convince the most skeptical man that few investments pay such 

 intGVGst 



C. A. GOESSMANN, Director, 



Amherst, Mass. 



The Bulletins of the Experiment Station will be sent free of charge 

 to all parties interested in its work, on application. 



Carpenter & Morehouse, Printers, Amherst, M<iss, 



