352 
Report of the Botanist of the 
unsprayed parts of the tree regarding the amount of blight. The teat 
in this case seems to be entirely satisfactory, and, taken in connection 
with the failure of hyposulphite of soda last year (Report for 1886, p. 
178), is strong evidence in favor of the opinion that the usual manner 
of applying soluble fungicides and insecticides by spraying is not 
likely to prove of any service against pear blight, twig blight, and the 
other forms of the same disease. 
General, Remarks. — Although for part of the tests the season has 
proved unpropitious, and in no case was the series of applications 
made in as complete a manner as could be desired, yet the results are 
encouraging and warrant the belief that sulphide of potassium will yet 
prove one of the most valuable fungicides for certain plant diseases, 
especially those caused by epiphytic fungi, that has so far been tested. 
Sulphide of potassium is a solid olive-green substance, usually seen 
in broken cakes, readily soluble in water, with a rather strong, unpleas- 
ant smell, somewhat like that of rotten eggs, but not corrosive to the 
skin or to clothing. It is sometimes called " liver of sulphur." It sells 
at retail for twenty-five to sixty cents a pound, according to quantity 
and place of purchase. 
The strength of solution of one-half ounce to a gallon of water is 
probably the maximum ever required; and it may be found upon 
further trial that one-half that strength will answer the purpose 
equally well. Not the slightest injury resulted to the foliage of any of 
the plants sprayed with it, and if anything were to be gained a stronger 
solution could just as well be used. As it is not a poisonous substance, 
unless swallowed in very large doses, no harm will result in spraying- 
fruit which is shortly to be gathered for eating. 
The spraying was performed with a Nixon nozzle and force pump, 
which throws a fine spray with much force to a considerable height, 
and is rapidly operated. By shifting the direction of the spray, all 
parts of the foliage are speedily wet with the solution. What falls upon 
the ground is not lost to the cultivator, for it is a substance that pos- 
sesses high manurial value as a potash salt. In fact the whole of the 
substance used for spraying, when finally washed into the ground, 
becomes available food for the vegetation which it has already served 
to protect more or less efficiently from fungous ravages. 
Fragmentary Notes. 
Scab and Rust of A pples and Pears. — The rust or scab, which usually 
shows itself in early spring and continues through the season on leaves 
and fruits, did not become noticeable this year till July. This tardi- 
ness in starting may be reasonably ascribed to the dryness of the first 
