Report of Cetptogamio Botanist and Plant Pathologist. 19 



A very extended study is in progress upon the anthracnoses, a 

 group of fungi affecting a very great number of cultivated and 

 indigenous plants, but from the breadth and scope which the 

 work has at present assumed it is impossible to say when the 

 matter will be ready for publication . 



The equipment of the laboratory has been further increased by 

 the purchase of needed photographic apparatus and the fitting up 

 of a dark room for photographic work. It does not seem out of 

 place to call attention to some very important needs which were 

 mentioned in the last annual report. The need of a competent 

 assistant who can take charge of the routine work of the experi- 

 ments, and manage those of lesser importance is very pressing 

 and would be a very profitable investment, since it would relieve 

 me of much time- absorbing work which might better be devoted 

 to problems of a more intricate nature which can not be con- 

 ducted so successfully when harassed by so many minor details. 



The provision of some cultural compartments mentioned last 



year is imperative before satisfactory experiments can be carried 



on in the investigation of the relation of supposed parasitic 



organisms to plant diseases. 



Respectfully submitted. 



GEO. F. ATKINSON. 



