384 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



KNOT. 



(Nectria cinnabarina (Tode) Fr. and Plenoectria Berolinensis Sacc.) 



A Disease of Currants is the title of Bui. 12.5 of the Cornell Experiment Sta- 

 tion. In this bulletin is described a currant disease due to the attacks of two 

 species of fungi which have caused serious trouble in some plantations in New 

 York state. The disease attacks the canes causing the foliage to turn yellow and 

 fall off, eventually leading to the death of the canes. The fruit also ripens pre- 

 maturely and is of small size. 



The fungus appears on the canes in the form of small pinkish cushion-like 

 tubercles usually most abundant near the ground. From these tubercles spores 

 are produced in abundance which are capable of growing at once. Another spore 

 form is produced later in the history of the fungus on the dying or dead canes. 

 It is believed that infection occurs largely through wounds or cuts but after once 

 gaining an entrance the disease becomes deep seated and difficult to eradicate. 

 Spraying is not recommended as being of much service in combating the disease. 

 All diseased plants should be dug out and burned and cuttings made only from 

 bushes in plantations entirely free from the trouble. It would also be advisable 

 to locate new plantations on soil not previously occupied by affected plants. 



GOOSEBERRY DISEASES. 



GOOSEBEKEY RUST. 



(Aecidium grossulariae Sebum.) 



Fiu. 34.^a, A younK leaf of gooseberry attacked by the cluster cup fungus or rust: b, a young 

 fruit swollen, distorted and yellow in color from tlie effects of the rust; c, section through part 

 of diseased spot showing a spore producing cup (aecidium 1, and a spermagonium 2); d, 

 mature spores (aecidio-spores), two of which are germinating. Highly magnified. (Original.) 



The gooseberry rust fungus while not very destructive as a rule, is capable 

 of doing considerable damage to foliage and fruit. It also occurs on wild species 

 of currants to some extent. The disease manifests its presence in early summer 

 by causing the formation of swollen places on the leaves and enlargement and 

 distortion of the fruit. These swollen parts are readily recognized by their bright 

 yellow to orange color and the presence of little cup-shaped pits in the surface. 



