THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 561 



spores failed to develop these stains. A microscopic examination of the 

 stained areas showed the characteristic appressoria or contact pads of 

 the wither tip fungus. These seemed to be confined almost entirely 

 to the stained areas. The stain appeared to be due to cells that had 

 been discolored by the presence of the fungus. In some cases hyphse 

 could be made out under the microscope, apparently just partly 

 imbedded in the surface cells and so connected with these contact pads 

 as to belong evidently to the same fungus. Some lemons in a second 

 jar were very minutely punctured over small areas with a needle on 

 which numerous spores of wither tip fungus were clinging. In two 

 weeks a slightly sunken area with broken-down cells and a reddish 

 stain was evident. Other fruits punctured in the same way without 

 spores being present on the needle showed a slightly sunken area with 

 nearly as many broken down cells as in the others, but the red stain 

 was absent. These experiments seem to prove that the wither tip 

 fungus is at least one of the causes for tear staining of lemons in 

 California and may cause reddening of slightly injured places. 



As the spores of this fungus are common in dead twigs or limbs that 

 have died from any cause, it is important to keep these cut out as much 

 as possible. The drip from dews or rains is thought to be the principal 

 cause for the tear staining. It may be mentioned here that there is 

 sometimes a faint staining of the fruit merely due to dirt and dust 

 washing down over the fruit and which can be rubbed off easily. This 

 is not normal ' ' tear staining. ' ' 



Tear staining may also be prevented by spraying with a good fungi- 

 cide. Lime-sulphur solution, Bordeaux mixture, or ammoniacal solu- 

 tion of copper carbonate may be used. The disadvantage of Bordeaux 

 mixture is that when followed within a few weeks or months by fumi- 

 gation for insects, it is apt to cause defoliation. Lime-sulphur solution 

 is suggested as the best when all things are considered, since it is also 

 useful in controlling the red spider. 



