
          333

This freeze reached as far South, I think, as Dover,
Del., and perhaps farther [The first frost of any 
severity in 1886 in Kent Co. Del. was Oct 17],. and I 
believe the unusual quantity of fruit that showed the
presence of the disease last year might be attributed
to it. I saw this discoloration on fruit from trees
15 years old that were always healthy before.  This
was near Smyrna, Del. [In whose orchard?]

The one thing peach growers need is a remedy
for the disease.  The cause & cure must come
from scientific men. I hope you will be instrumental
in furnishing this information you
might inqure further from.

E. Beckman, Middletown, N.J.
(see p. 298) D. S. Wyckoff, Freehold, N.J.

Very truly yours,
David Baird.
[nurseryman]

copy 
7

South Haven, [Mich.] April 17, 1888

Mr. Erwin F. Smith

Dear Sir:- Yours of yesterday
rec'd [received] to-day.  In answer toyou first question
I can say Yes, most emphatically wit hthis 
qualification, not "on starved wiry branches."
The trees that I have cut out with yellows
have nearly always been thrifty & vigorous,
showing the disease only in the fruit, &
all the rest would be healthy, and often
only one or two limbs would be visibly
affected.  Thorough cultivation has been
my practice, and also to take out a tree as
soon as it shows the disease.  I have
bought & set a few trees that never showed
anything but the "starved wiry" fungus growth,
[Farmers use the term "fungus" not as botanists],
but took them out and burned them as soon
as discovered.  Had I carried over yellows

        