INSTITUTE AND COLLEGE, PrSA, FOR 1909-10. 45 



collected in Kashmir in 1908. Wither tip of citrus trees 

 occurred at Pusa and experimental treatment was carried 

 out. Other citrus diseases are under study at Pusa. A 

 papaya disease which has killed a number of trees at Pusa 

 was studied by one of the students and Mr. Mitra, but the 

 work is not yet ready for publication. 



Forest Tree Diseases.— As usual a number of these 

 were investigated for the Forest Department and other 

 persons. The chief of interest was Fomes lucidus, a pro- 

 bable parasite of several valuable trees including Shisham 

 {Dalbergia sissoo) and Areca palm. An illustrated note on 

 this was written for the " Indian Forester." The well- 

 known parasite of the Himalayan blue pine, Trametes Pint, 

 was discovered for the first time attackii^g deodar near 

 Simla. Mr. Hafiz has been occupied in an attempt to 

 determine the manner of spread of this fungus from speci- 

 mens forwarded by the Imperial Forest Botanist. 



Other Plant Diseases. — Two diseases caused by species 

 of Phytofhthora were investigated by the senior students 

 under supervision. The life history of Phytofhthora 

 Colocasice was worked out. The other, which attacks 

 seedling castor, appears to be undescribed previously. The 

 work will be published after some further necessary study. 

 Several cases of disease of important crops caused by the 

 root-rot fungus, Rhizoctonia, were studied. Jute, potato, 

 linseed, tomato, brinjal, castor and some pulses are amongst 

 the plants attacked by this fungus, the existence of which 

 in India has only recently been ascertained. An illustrated 

 account of the leaf spot of turmeric, due to a new species 

 of Taphrina, has been prepared for publication. Speci- 

 mens of rice bunt, caused by Tilletia horrida, were received 

 from Germany, on rice said to be of Indian origin. As 

 this disease has only been reported from Japan and the 

 Southern States an enquiry is being made as to its possible 

 occurrence in India, especially Burma. The disease of 



