The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1903-10-15
Won Holderbeke on Black Spot.

Won I1OlOSTDSkc OH DldCh SPOl'
Pullman, Wash, Oct. 3, 1903.
Editor The Ranch.
Dear Sir-Some time since we sent a
copy of bulletin entitled "The Cause and
Cure of Black Spot or Apple Tree Anthrac-
nose, Pear Blight, Gumosis," by A. Van
Holderbecke, State Commissioner of Horti
culture to Mr. Albert F. Woods, Pathologist
and Psychologist of the United States De-
partment of Agriculture, for examination.
We have just received letter from Mr..
Woods in which he discusses this bulletin.
| quote it as it may interest your readers.
This letter published below is self-ex-
p1anatory and will need no further COM
ments Sincerely yours,
R. KENT BEATTIE,
Acting Botanist.
Washington Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton.
Washington, D. c., Sept. 15 1903
Prof c. " Piper,
Agricultural Experiment Station
Pullman, Washington.
Dear Professor I am in receipt of your letter
of Sept. 7th, enclosing copy of bulletin en-
titled, "The Cause ard Cure of Black Spot or Apple
Tree Anthracnose, Pear Blight, Gumosis,' by A.
Van Holderbeke State Commissioner OF Horticul-
ture.
His statements in regard to gumosis are in the
main correct, at least, for certain types of the
disease. He is also correct in the idea that, In
general, conditions unfavorable to we'll balanced
growth are likely to put tree into condition
making it susceptible to fungus and insect attack,
such for example, as excessive moisture or excess
sive use of heterogeneous fertilizers He has, now
ever in my opinion, entirely overestmated the
relation of nutrition conditions to the disease in
question, ramely, black spot and pear blight
The parasites in both these cases are extremely
active and viruent, and while of course, they do
most damage in soft, immature growth, they do
not depend upon any previous diseased CONDITION
in order to produce serious infection and well
defined disease. So far our Investigations nave
gone we have never found any such conditions as
are described in this paper as nitrate spots, and
I think Mr. Won Holderbeke has undoubtedly mis-
interpreted the pathological symptoms
Regarding the remedies which he suggests, OF
course too much cannot be said warning people
against planting trees too deep and in SOIL Wh1cD
is too rich or in soils which lack the proper nu-
tritive elements proper aeration. Any OF these
conditions which may be unfavOrable to normal,
healthy vigorous growth may make tree more
subject to insect fungus attack, but none OF
these conditions are fundamental in the produc-
ton either of black spot pear blight 1t is I'M
fortunate that the author of the paper should so
greatly overestimate the relation of conditions OF
nutrition and environment to the production OF
this disease | am afraid ALSO that he is not very
familiar with plant physiology and plant patnol-
ogy in general.
I doubt whether it would pay to try to cr1t1clse
matter of this kind in print, although II you
want to quote any portion of what have written,
| have no objection to it. The publication is I'M
fortunate of course in that it may prevent some
from accepting the true and proper explanation
of the causes of these diseases.
Thanking you for sending me this publication,
| am very truly yours
(Siened) ALBERT F. WOODS,
Pathologist and Psychologist U. S. Dept Agrc'