150 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



grown fruit discolors its surface and depreciates its marketable value, 

 making it liable to rot under the scab spots when stored. The dis- 

 ease is worse in damp, cold seasons. It starts in the spring from 

 germs that have lived over winter or from the plant body, which has 

 retained its vitality' in the twigs, fruit or fallen leaves. The cold, 

 damp spring weather causes a rapid growth of spores which estab- 

 lish themselves upon the young fiuit and leaves. The warm, dry 

 summer weather arrests the growth which is continued again during 

 the damp, cooler autumn months. The fungus shows some preference 

 for certain varieties, but in bad seasons all are more or less affected. 

 The parasite has a wonderful vitalit}" and the plant body is probably 

 perennial. We have now, Januar3^ first, apples covered with the 

 fungus in a vigorous growing condition. Specimens apparently 

 dead when taken from the barrel kept moist a few days begin 

 growth. It has been shown that the spores will germinate in about 

 eight hours at the low temperature of 50^^ F., insuring an early start 

 in the spring. 



The successful treatment of this disease may be regarded as an 

 open question but on account of the annual injur}' done should be 

 carefully studied. The station wishes to conduct some experiments 

 next season upon this disease and will be pleased to correspond with 

 orchardists in different parts of the State wliere the disease was bad 

 the past season and cooperate with them. 



The life history of this fungus would suggest the application of 

 some chemical by the spraying pump, early in the spring before the 

 leaves start, to kill the spores as formed and prevent them attacking 

 the young fruit and leaves. 



Mr. Goff of the New York Experiment Station has tried spraying 

 the trees early in the season with a solution of 1 pound of hypo- 

 sulphate of soda to 10 gallons of water with good results. 



Prof. Scribner suggests for trial the following treatment : 



(1) Spray the trees early in the spring before the buds start with 

 a solution made from 1 pound iron sulphate (copperas) and 1 gallon 

 of water. 



(2) After the fruit sets spray again with Bordeaux mixture pre- 

 pared by dissolving 16 pounds copper sulphate (blue stone) in 22 

 gallons of water. In another vessel mix 30 pounds of lime with 6 

 gallons of water. After the latter cools pour the two preparations 

 together and thoroughly mix them. It is best to prepare this mix- 

 ture several days before it is needed and stir it well before applying 



