2IO PLANT DISEASES 



RASPBERRY ROOT ROT 



{Hypholoma fasiculare^ Fries. ) 



This fungus, although exceedingly abundant, has not been 

 notified as a parasite in Europe. However, quite recently 

 Mr. D. M'Alpine, Government Vegetable Pathologist, 

 Melbourne, has announced that this species is very 

 destructive to raspberries in Victoria, forming a dense 

 white mycelium round the roots after the manner followed 

 by Armillaria mellea. Sour, damp soil favours the disease, 

 whereas drainage and the application of lime prevents its 

 spread. 



The fungus grows in dense clusters on and around 

 rotten trunks, stumps, posts, etc. The general colour is 

 dingy yellow. The gills are yellowish-green, then clouded 

 with the dark-coloured spores. Taste very bitter, smell 

 acrid. 



Preventive Means. — M'Alpine says drainage and 

 liming of the soil, together with the removal and burning 

 of diseased plants, are the principal measures to be relied 

 on. The addition of salt to the lime in the proportion of 

 two of lime to one of salt may be recommended. 



USTILAGINACEAE 



Loose Smut of Oats 



{Ustilago ave?iae, Jensen.) 



Popularly known as 'smut' or 'slean,' this disease is 

 known wherever oats are cultivated ; and before the 

 simple but certain preventive methods were discovered. 



