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REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. 



July I, 1897. 

 Professor I. P. Roberts, Director. 



Dear Sir: — 



I have the honor to. present the following report of the Botani- 

 cal Division of the Experiment Station for the past six months. 



There have been published two Bulletins during the-year, as 

 follows: A Disease of Currant Canes, Bulletin 125, February, 

 1897, by E. J. Durand, assistant botanist during the previous 

 year. Two Destructive Celery Blights, by B. M. Duggar, assist- 

 ant botanist. These articles were published in Bulletin 132, 

 March, 1897. 



Work is in progress upon the following subjects : A very 

 thorough study has been made of several of the parasitic fungi 

 known as anthracnoses which attack fruits and various vege- 

 tables. The matter is being prepared for a bulletin but con- 

 siderable time is necessary to complete it because of the 

 numerous illustrations. It is hoped, however, to present it 

 sometime during the coming autumn. 



A great deal of attention is being given to the preparation of 

 illustrations in the way of fine photographs of the larger fungi 

 known as mushrooms, with a view to publishing a series of 

 bulletins on the edible, poisonous and indifferent species in the 

 State, for the purpose of arousing an interest in the value for 

 food of the edible species and to give simple directions for 

 becoming acquainted with the more common species. 



Studies are also in progress on the diseases of timber and 

 forest trees, and already many valuable illustrations have been 

 made for future bulletins of an educational character, as well as 

 of scientific value. 



