Pflanzenkrankheiten. 331 



Borthwick, A. W., A new disease of Picea. (Notes rc>3\ bot. 

 Gardens, Edinburgh. XX, March 1909. p. 259-261. 1 Plate ) 



A new fungus disease of Picea pimgeus is described. The para- 

 site attacks the buds, and in some cases prevents their further 

 growth; the lower branches suffer more severely than the upper. 

 The fungus proved to be a Cucurbitaria which is regarded as a new 

 species and described as C. piceae. A. D. Cotton (Kew). 



Butler, E. T., Fomes hicidiis Fr. a suspected Parasite. (Indian 

 Forester. XXXV. Sept. 1909. p. 514—518.) 



After a review of previous instances where Fomes hicidiis has 

 been suspected as a parasite, a number of cases are cited where 

 there is strong reason to believe that it has caused the deaths of 

 trees in India. A variet}^ of trees are affected; and if Fomes hicidiis 

 is proved to be the primary cause of the injury, this fungus must be 

 regarded as being one of the most destructive tree-parasites in India. 



A. D. Cotton (Kew). 



Evans, J. B. Pole Bitter-Pit of the Apple. (Transvaal Dept. 

 Agric. Techn. Bull. I. Pretoria 1909. 18 pp. 5 plates.) 



The paper deals with the disease of Apples known as Bitter-pit 

 which is characterized by patches of brown tissue being present in 

 the interior of the fruit. 



The history of the disease is first traced, some 18 papers being 

 referred to, after which the author gives an account of the disease 

 as it affects South Africa; and finally gives the results of his 

 investigations as to the nature and cause of the malady. 



In dealing with the development it is shown that the spots arise 

 in connection with the vascular bundles and that the starch which 

 is well-known to be present, is part of the original starch and not 

 a secondary product. The main factors responsible for the Spotting 

 are believed to be excessive transpiration during the day followed 

 by its sudden checking and complete abeyance during the night, 

 when root action is still vigorous owing to the warmness of the 

 soil. Under these circumstances water accumulation takes place to 

 such an extent in the cells of the fruit, that an actual bursting of 

 the cells may occur. When this is the case atmospheric ox}'g"en 

 gains access to the cell and together with the enzymes present, 

 acts on the tannin, producing dark-coloured oxy-compounds, which 

 are precipitated on the walls as a gummy substance a diastatic 

 action is inhibited. The neighbouring cells are also affected and a 

 nest of unhealthy and dried cells is the result. 



Emphasis is laid on the fact that only Colonial varieties shovv 

 immunity to the disease, and the author concludes that the South 

 African climate is unsuitable for introduced varieties and urges the 

 necessity of a new stock of home-grown seedlinos. 



A. Ü3. Cotton (Kew). 



Schmuziger, H. , Eine bleichsüchtige Fichte {Picea excelsa 

 Lk. lusus versicolor Witt rock.) (Schweiz. Zeitschrift f. Forst- 

 wesen. LIX. 2. 1908.) 



Bericht über eine Fichte bei Kirchleerau im Kanton Aargau, 

 welche regelmässig mit schneeweissen Trieben austreibt; die Nadeln 

 werden im Lauf des Sommers grün und zeigen im Oktober kaum 



