260 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



year, a« mentioned, was withheld awaiting these results, which have 

 now been incorporated therein, and the report is soon to be published. 



Spot nisp^ASK of r.\ui-iFi,owF,R. — A bulletin has l^en prepared and 

 pul>lished on the new disease of cauliflower, giving a biological study 

 of the parasite involved and the results of experiments carried on to 

 determine the conditions under which infection takes place, etc. 



BuD-ROT OF THE COCONUT PALM. — A bulletin has been prepared 

 and is now in the hands of the printer, giving in detail the results of 

 the experiments carried on for several years on the bud-rot of the 

 coconut palm. The cause of the disease has been determined, and 

 many experiments have been made with a view to its prevention and 

 eradication. 



Cooperative studies of plant diseases. — Work on the very destruc- 

 tive blight of the banana has been continued. A new wilt disease of 

 the belladonna and a blight of the poppy have been discovered. 

 Considerable work has been done on l)oih these diseases, and the 

 cause of the belladonna wilt has probably been made out. Studies 

 have been continued also on the bacterial and fungous content of 

 spoiled corn, the biochemical side of the question bein^ investigated 

 in cooperation with the Laboratory of Drug and Poisonous Plant 

 Investigations. Work for the coming year will be continued along 

 the same general lines. 



PATHOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS AND INSPECTION WOKK. 



Additions to the collections. — During the past year many sp>ecies 

 of great economic interest have been acquired by purchase oi foreign 

 and American sets of exsiccatse. Among these acquisitions were sev- 

 eral rare old set which are valuable in questions of synonymy or 

 identity, and especially important in guarding against the introduc- 

 tion of diseases not occurring in this country. Many species were 

 also added by means of the mycological exchange and by miscellane- 

 ous identifications for collaborators, agriculturists, correspondents, 

 and others. Pure-culture specimens to the extent of about 200 were 

 purchased and are kept alive for use in experimental or demonstra- 

 tion work. The work of indexing new fungi and diseases has been 

 continued and supplemented by the translation of technical diagnoses 

 of new species or diseases, with copies of drawings and photographs 

 when possible. 



Inspection work. — The inspection work done for the offices of 

 Seed and Plant Introduction and Distribution, Congressional Seed 

 Distribution, and Crop Physiology has included the examination of 

 many thousands of species. Generally the importations or exporta- 

 tions were healthy, but certain consignments found affected with new 

 or dangerous diseases were condemned or held for treatment. 



FRUIT-DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS. 



The investigations of fruit diseases, in charge of ^Ir. M. B. Waite, 

 have been conducted on about the same lines as in previous years, 

 with the investigation of grape and small-fruit diseases in immediate 

 charge of Dr. C. L. Shear, and spraying demonstrations in charge 

 of Mr. ^Y. M. Scott. 



