52 Plant Pathology. 



(3) Fire Blight. — The work on fire blight has been prosecuted 

 to a limited extent. Some interesting facts and observations in 

 regard to the manner in which this disease is carried over winter 

 have been collected, together with a number of excellent photographs. 



(4) Septoria Leaf Spot and others. — The work on the septoria 

 leaf spot of tomatoes has received but little attention this season. 

 The problem, however, has not been dropped and it is planned to 

 continue the work next season. The work on hollyhock rust and 

 the root-rot of peas have likewise had to go over until another 

 season. 



Of the new problems taken up during the past year, the following 

 are of most importance: 



(i) The Black-rot of Grapes. — The heavy losses from this dis- 

 ease during 1906, especially in the Niagara grape growing sections 

 of the State, created a demand among the growers for a more thor- 

 ough investigation into the nature and control of this disease. Work 

 on this problem was begun about the middle of June. Mr. Donald 

 Reddick, assistant in plant pathology, was put in direct charge of 

 the work. A temporary field laboratory, well equipped for micro- 

 scopic and cultural work, was established in a largfe Niagara vine- 

 yard near Romulus, N. Y. Mr. Reddick was at this laboratory con- 

 stantly from the middle of June until the end of August. The 

 work so far has been confined entirely to a study of the life history 

 of the black-rot fungus {Guignardia bidwellii). The first season's 

 work has been very satisfactory in giving us a preliminary survey 

 necessary to the intelligent prosecution of the work on this disease. 

 It is planned to spend at least three years on the problem before 

 making a final report. 



The establishment of a field laboratory for the study of the disease 

 has been a most satisfactory experiment. There is no place so 

 admirably adapted to the study of any disease as in the field where 

 it is actually developing under normal conditions. It is planned 

 to continue this policy of field laboratories not only for the study 

 of the black-rot but for the investigation of other important diseases 

 that we may have in hand from time to time. 



(2) Loose Smut of Wheat. — The loss from the loose smut of 

 wheat has been gradually increasing during the past three years. 

 This year it undoubtedly destroyed at least 10 per cent, of the 

 wheat crop of the State. A careful study of the nature and control 

 of this disease has been undertaken. It is expected that a bulletin 

 on this subject will be issued within a year or so. 



