89 
Tlie orchard contains cases of peach yellows, and alternate strips 
have been under treatment since the autumn ol 1889, and consequently 
the entire orchard has been subject to frequent inspection. The follow¬ 
ing examinations were made in the spring of 1891: 
April 16 every tree was carefully examined in all parts above ground 
for symptoms of yellows. This was to determine whether any new cases 
had appeared since fall. The tentative diagnosis of new cases was based 
principally on the color and state of advancement of the unfolding leaves, 
and for this reason the inspection of the foliage of each tree was minute. 
The leaf buds had been open about two weeks, and some varieties were 
then in blossom. The weather for a week had been dry and pleasant. 
April 20 the fertilizers were put on. The foliage Avas much larger 
than on the 16th and growing rapidly, influenced by warm weather and 
a heavy thunderstorm on the night of the 18th. The fertilizer was 
harrowed in on the 21st, but the orchard was not plowed until May 7. 
The application of the fertilizers consumed most of the day, during vdiicli 
I passed from row to rov r through all parts of the orchard seeing every 
tree. With one exception all the varieties v r ere then done or nearly 
done blossoming, and the petals were on the ground. 
April 23 the orchard w as revisited and tw o strips Avere limed. Again 
many of the trees were examined closely. All varieties w 7 ere done Aoav- 
ering and some forward fruits had begun to burst the u cap.” 
During these three visits I observed no trace of Taphrina. On the 
last visit'the older leaves were 1-2 inches long. 
May 1 I revisited the Shallcross orchard, and was surprised to find 
peach curl on nearly all of the trees. There were thousands of affected 
leaves, and the curl was the first object to attract attention. The 
orchard was visited to secure buds for inoculations, but the curl was 
so abundant that difficulty was experienced in finding cuttings free 
from it. 
This great outbreak of Taphrina came upon the trees during the last 
week in April. The minuteness of the observations on April 16, 20, 
and 23 fixes the date beyond reasonable dispute. There was no notice¬ 
able curl prior to April 23, and the orchard was full of it from oue end 
to the other on May 1. 
Prior to the 24th the weather was warm for a w hole week, and vege¬ 
tation was tender and growing very rapidly. FolloAving this and dur¬ 
ing the week in which the curl developed came a sudden cold Avave of 
three days duration. On Thursday the 23d, the temperature reached a 
maximum of 80° F. On the 24th it dropped to 54°-64°j on the 25th 
it was 44°-64°; and on the 26th it wuis 40°-62°, Avitli a slight frost in 
loAA r places.* The next day it was warm again, the range being from 
50°-80°. 
* Tlie minimum records are those of early morning (sunrise), and do not represent 
the lowest temperature of the twenty-four hours. All were recorded by Dr. W. 8. 
Maxwell, Still Pond, Md. 
