REPORT OF THE BOTANIST/ 
The present report covers the eight months of 1887 from January to 
August, inclusive. A few series of observations have been extended 
beyond this time and completed through the kindness of Mr. E. S. 
Goff and Mr. M. H. Beckwith, of the horticultural department of the 
Station. The report embraces a study of the potato scab and the 
conditions which influence its development; further discoveries in the 
life history of the plum-leaf fungus; the use of sulphide of potassium 
in the treatment of several plant diseases; notes upon apple and pear 
scab; disease of clover-leaf weevil, peach curl, gooseberry mildew; 
the constancy of leaf characters of the wild dandelion under cultiva- 
tion, and a form of constant temperature apparatus for the germina- 
tion of seeds at their upper limit of growth. 
The weed statistics are continued regarding the number and kind 
of weeds that grow on one-twentieth of an acre during a season; 
besides this the number of germinations from a square foot of soil, 
taken to the depth of three inches or less, are given, and some items 
relating to the germination of weed seeds. 
A convenient summary of the subject-matter of the four reports of 
the botanist to the Station, the dates and form of publication of these 
reports, and an index to them complete the present report. The 
order of topics is as follows: 
Potato scab. 
Plum-leaf fungus. 
Sulphide of potassium as a fungicide. 
Fragmentary notes: 
Scab and rust of apples and pears. 
Disease of the clover-leaf weevil. 
Peach curl. 
Gooseberry mildew. 
Constancy of characters in the wild dandelion. 
Constant temperature apparatus. 
Weed statistics: 
Weeds on one-twentieth of an acre. 
Weeds from one square foot of soil. 
Germination of seeds. 
* J. C. Arthur. 
