PEACH MILDEW 
5 
only appears on the current year’s growth, it being able to establish 
itself upon the more tender growing parts only. On the leaves, it 
generally appears upon the under surface, most prominently along 
the midrib as white, irregular blotches. The attack is not confined 
to the under surface of the leaf, but is found there more often, proba¬ 
bly because strong sunlight is its worst enemy. The leaves become 
crimpled and curled, the younger ones near the tip often falling 
during severe attacks. The tissues of the leaf are deadened, and it 
folds more or less along the midrib, the upper surface folding upon 
itself. 
Attacks of this fungus often injure the fruit, in some cases al¬ 
most ruining the crop for market. The young twigs are checked in 
their growth, and sometimes killed outright, while the foliage is 
greatly reduced. If no injury to the crop is experienced during the 
season of attack it is no doubt true that the future crops and good 
health of the tree are at stake. Fruit buds for the coming year 
cannot be developed on half-dead twigs poorly nourished by a scant 
supply of foliage. Neither is the tree in shape to withstand other 
troubles to which the unhealthy peach tree falls heir. 
As preventive measures, several of more or less importance 
can be mentioned. As the fungus thrives best in a warm, moist 
and shaded location, anything that will overcome these conditions 
might be classed as a preventive. Too close planting is not 
recommended, as in such plantations a free circulation of air is shut 
off. Pruning to an open head would no doubt be an advantage in 
favor of the tree. In other words, plant and prune the orchard to 
favor a free circulation of air and plenty of sun about and on the 
inside of the tree. Experience with other mildews would seem to 
suggest that as a preventive measure, a cool soil and location be 
selected. Some have recommended the planting of varieties that 
seem to be free from attack, but in this state little or no preference 
has been shown by the fungus for certain varieties. The statement 
has been made that the disease seemed to be restricted to the ser¬ 
rate, glandless-leaved varieties, but in three lots of infested ma¬ 
terial sent in to the Station by fruit growers of the state two had 
serrate leaves and very conspicuous glands, while the third was 
serrate, glandless. It has been noticed that it is especially bad on 
seedlings in infested localities. It seems hardly necessary to take 
out infested trees as some have recommended, but no doubt the 
seedlings above mentioned could be disposed of at little loss to 
the grower and may noticably check the spread of the disease. 
No extensive experimental work has been followed out along 
the lines of determining remedies for this disease; nevertheless, 
knowing its habit of growth and the action of the various sprays 
upon the peach, no fear is entertained in recommending a system 
