78 Bulletin 186. 



extensive asparagus fields of that locality. Owing to unfavorable 

 weather the search was not as thorough as it should have been, but 

 we failed to find any indications of the presence of Rlnzoctonia on 

 asparagus roots. 



For excellent specimens of the European fungus on the last 

 named host we are also indebted to Prof. Sorauer. 



On the China Aster, Callistephus Jiortensis. 



In the summer of 1899, Mr. Murrill received from a correspond- 

 ent specimens of diseased China asters. From his notes we find 

 tliat the plants presented a wilted appearance, but he observed no 

 fungus either npoii branch or leaf. As described by the gardener, 

 the disease might well have been due to a Hhizoctonia. An exami- 

 nation of a specimen preserved showed that tlie lower part of the 

 stem was considerably permeated with hyplue of a Rliizoctonia. 

 The fungus threads were also present superficially, and small crust- 

 like sclerotia had formed upon the stem. There is as yet no further 

 evidence that th.e fungus found was the cause of the disease. A 

 pure culture of the Rldzoctonia was, however, secured, and the 

 fungus will be tested. 



During the present season, China asters collected by Mr. Rolfs at 

 Border City, N. Y., also showed a Rhizoctonia associated with an 

 aster stem disease. Particular stress cannot be put upon this matter 

 until inoculation experiments are made, for there seems to be at 

 least one other stem disease of asters due to another funo^us. 



On the Carnation, Dianthus cai^yoplnjUus. 



The carnation is subject to a vei'y destructive Khizoctonia disease 

 known to florists by the name of stem-rot. Affected plants wilt 

 suddenly, take on gray green color, and are soon dead and dry. 

 The seat of the trouble is found to Ije in the stem at or just below 

 tlie surface of the soil. The cortex on tliis portion of the stem is 

 soft rotten and sc})arates readily from the wood. The medulla is 

 rotten and l)oth medulla and cortex are filled witli the hypha3 of 

 Rhizoctonia. Not infrequently large, brown, irregular sclerotia 

 are found attached to tlie subterranean portion of the stem and 

 occasionally to the roots. 



