Report of the Botanist. 



To the Director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment 

 Station: 



Sir, — Since the presentation of the last annual report from 

 the Botanical Division several changes have been necessitated 

 in the organization of the staff of the department, owing to the 

 resignation of Professor Albert Nelson Prentiss on account of 

 prolonged illness, during last February. Professor Prentiss has 

 since died and it seems fitting here to call attention to his long 

 service in the University, and to his continued interest in the 

 advancement of the work of the Experiment Station by promot- 

 ing the investigations of these botanical subjects which are pecu- 

 liarly related to Agriculture. 



In the reorganization of the Division the Cryptogamic Botanist 

 was appointed Botanist. Dr. E. J. Durand, the Assistant Cryp- 

 togamic Botanist, being transferred to the instructing staff of 

 the University, Mr. B. M. Duggar was appointed Assistant Cryp- 

 togamic Botanist of the Experiment Station. 



During Dr. Durand's connection with the Division of Botany* 

 he made a special study of a serious disease of current canes 

 which had been called to our attention from various localities 

 in New York. These investigations have occupied considerable 

 time owing to the desirability of tracing the life history of two 

 different but closely related fungi which are parasitic on the 

 canes. This has been done by the aid of pure cultures in arti- 



