Rain at Blooming-time. 339 
Card* has made experiments in the spraying (to 
imitate rain) of raspberries: “Jt is generally sup- 
posed that rainy and cloudy weather at blossoming 
time is injurious to the fruit crop, and the ques- 
tion oceurs whether frequent spraying with water at 
this period would produce any noticeable effect. On 
June 15, 1892, spraying was begun on Caroline, 
Cuthbert and Turner raspberries. At that time the 
Caroline was well in bloom, while the others were 
scarcely beginning to bloom. The spraying was con- 
tinued until July first, two to four times each day 
when the weather was bright and pleasant, but 
omitted when there were rains to take its place. 
Showers were frequent during the period, but were 
well interspersed with bright weather and sunshine. 
“The results were entirely negative, showing no 
effect whatever from the spraying. The fruits on 
this portion of the row were just as perfect and 
abundant, and the plants appeared to suffer no more 
from fungous diseases than those not sprayed. It is 
to be noted, however, that the conditions were not 
the same as those present in continuous cloudy 
weather, for during much of this time the weather 
was bright, and insects were numerous, and continued 
working among the blossoms regardless of their being 
wet, so that opportunities for pollination were good. 
The test is of interest as showing that there need be 
no fear of interfering with pollination by spraying for 
insects or diseases, even if necessary to do it at 
blossoming time. Of course, it should not be done 
* Fred W. Card, Bull. 57, Cornell Exp. Sta. 
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