'I'HK CaNAIHAX HORTRUI.IURI.ST. 75 



THH WKSTHRN XKW YORK I RL'ir CROWKRS. I. 



HE annnual meeting of this Society was held in the City Hall, 

 Rochester, on the 27th and 28th of January. Most prominent 

 among its leading spirits are Messrs. VV. C. Barry, the able Presi- 

 dent ; S. D. Willard, the wide-awake, enthusiastic Vice-President ; 

 T. S. Woodward, Charles Green, and others, supported by horti- 

 culturists and professors from the experiment stations and schools of horticulture. 

 Of Canadians, there were present, Mr. Craig, of the Experimental ['"arm, and 

 the Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. 



The Fre/ic/i ^vstcin of groiving potatoes was advocated as the most remunera- 

 tive, because (i) seed was so planted as to get moisture ; (2) it gave advantage 

 of level culture ; (3) it necessitated a better preparation of the soil. The potato 

 scab was the most minute of all the fungi, and could be propagated by planting 

 affected seed ; therefore, the greatest care should b- exercised in its choice. 



Among fungus diseases of the apple, the rust was quite serious in places ; it 

 was identical with that causing the so-called cedar apples, and the ripe or bitter 

 rot. Speaking of the scab, Prof. Beach said it often caused loss of one-quarter 

 to one-sixth of the entire crop. It winters on buds and old leaves, and checks 

 growth of both leaves and fruit. 



The powdery mildew of the gooseberry produces both summer and winter 

 spores, which are easily carried about in the atmosphere for its propagation. Ii 

 was proved at (ieneva that the fruit and foliage could be kept clear by use of 

 sulphide of potassium, using one ounce to two gallons of water, first dissolving 

 it in hot water. One gallon would spray ten or twelve large bushes. The article 

 only costs about one cent an ounce. 



The l^lack knot of the plum and cherry were probably identical, at least they 

 could be infected the one by the other. The winter spores were formed in sacs 

 during the month of Fel)ruary, and by them was carried about in winter. Mr. 

 Powell, of Seneca, had lost an orchard of 1000 trees. The disease was commu- 

 nicated from an old hedge row of plums near by, which the owner neglected to 

 destrov. The spores could be carried a long way, a mile or two at least, pos- 

 sibly, much farther. It was resolved to apply to the Legislature of the State, 

 asking that steps be taken to eradicate the disease. 



Mr. Cook, of Genesee Co., had a fine crop of Yello7v Transparent apples 

 this season, and esteemed them highly. The Duchess and Anjou were favorite 

 pears. One orchard of the former, of two and a (juarter acres, yielded a single 

 crop worth $600 this past season. 'I'he excellence of the latter was little under- 

 stood. It should be in every garden. 



