Horticultural Society

"i'each Yellows and Black Knot was the topic announced for discussion at the August meeting. The secretary read tlie new yellows law which is similar in lts provisions to the o'd law except that it provides for the appointment of commissioners in cities and villages as well as in townships. In discussing the prevalence of these diseases in this locality several members gave instances where the yellows is found within the city limits of Ann Arbor in close proximity to and Hable to infect orchards located in Ann Arbor township. The secretary was instructed to cali the mayor's attention to the matter and urge the appoint. ment of yellows commissioners in the city. President Bird by request then gave a description of peach yellows. The disease, he said, usually appears first in the fruit, which ripens prematurely and is more highly colored than usual, this color extending into the flesh. Small yellow-leaved twigs appear upon the lower branches and in the course of a few years the tree dies. Mr. Ganzhorn said that he had tried the experiment of cutting off a branch found to be affected with yellows in the hope of thereby saving the tree. Next year, however, the tree was stillfurther affected and was hkely to die. Mr Crozier told of other persons near Ann Arbor who had tried this experiment with the same result. The only way to check the disease is to remove the whole tree. A member called attention to the experimenta of the government agent, Dr. Smith in the use of various fertilizers ia a remedy lor the yellows. After extended trials no beneíicial results were seen and experiments on that line had been discontinued. The society then took up the discussion of the black knot. Mr. Baur said that some one had reported in a Detroit paper that Washtenaw County had more black knot than all the rest of the state. Tt was agreed that the disease was very prevalent here and several members declared plurn growing to have become a failure on account of it. Mr. Williams was one who said that he used to grow plums successfully when the country was new, but that of late years the knots had become so abundant that growing this fruit was no longer profitable. He had heard it stated that plum trees under cultivation were less liable to become affected by the knot than those lef t in grass, but he could see little difference. Mr. Dipple and one or two others had rid their trees of the disease by cutting off the affected limbs and twigs whenever the knots appeared. The presence of other diseased trees in the nood was the only obstacle to the permanent success of this remedy. The black knot attacks not only the plum, but sometimes the cherry also. It is occasionally found upon the wild cherry in the woods. Mr. Bird stated that at Stratford, Canada, cherry growing had been given up on account of the abundance of black knot. Mr. Baur then prese nted a request from Professor Taft of the Agricultural College that the society assist in the revisión of the fruit list of the American Pomologieal society, a copy of which was sent for the purpose. An hour was then devoted to that work. Following are a few points brought out: Apples. Baldwin, Hable to winterkill on low ground. Ben Davis succeeds on low ground but grows too small on high land. Northern Spy is hardy and desirable. Little Romanite bears well and hangs late upon the tree. Jonathan is unproductive with ordinary care. Hubbardston is a general favorite, hardy and prolific. Spitzenburg is failing in this locality. King is tender and a shy bearer. Among blackberries Snyder is still the favorite. Mr. Bird had found Taylor to be tender and too proliflc to bring its fruit to perfection. Of currants Prince Albert was a nable late variety though of poor quality. The white currants lacked vigor and Fay did not grow sufficiently upright. Rogers hybrid grapes were more inclined to rot than most 'other varieties. Delaware and Niágara were highly spoken of but the former must not be allowed to overbear while youug Vergennes was commended for its late keeping. Under peaches Mr. Ganzhorn stated that he bad anumber of Early Crawford seedlings fully as good as that variety. Mr. Bird reported a HilPs Chili seedling larger than that variety and of better foliage. Mr. Ganzhorn also had a promising new black cap raspberry. The Marlboro was highly commended, though inclined.