116 Report op the Botanist op the 



able weather the search was not as thorough as it should have 

 been, but we failed to find any indications of the presence of 

 Rhizoctonia 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. 



{CallistepJius hortensis.) 



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

 pondent specimens of diseased China asters. From his notes we 

 find that the plants presented a wilted appearance, but he ob- 

 served no fungus either upon branch or leaf. As described by 

 the gardener, the disease might well have been due to a 

 Rhizoctonia. An examination of a specimen preserved showed 

 that the lower part of the stem was considerably permeated with 

 hyphae of a Rhizoctonia. The fungous threads were also present 

 superficially, and small crust-like sclerotia had formed upon the 

 stem. There is as yet no further evidence that the fungus found 

 was the cause of the disease. A pure culture of the Rhizoctonia 

 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 

 as jaster 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 

 fungus. 



ON THE CARNATION. 



{DiantJms caryophyllus.) 



The carnation is subject to a very destructive Rhizoctonia dis- 

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

 wilt suddenly, take on a gray green color, and are soon dead and 

 dry. The seat of the trouble is found to be in the stem at or 

 just below the surface of the soil. The cortex on this portion 

 of the stem is soft-rotten and separates readily from the wood. 

 The medulla is rotten and both medulla and cortex are filled 

 with the hyphae of Rhizoctonia. Not infrequently large, brawn, 



