502 



From iuvestijjatious of the leaf blight of the quince {Entomoaporium maciilatmn, 

 Lev.) we are enabled to saj' that the hibernation of the species must be chiefly by 

 means of the ordinary spores, and iiot by ascospores. The former were found on the 

 fallen leaves at various times during the winter, and were capable of germination 

 and vigorous growth. Experiments showed that these spores directly infected the 

 host when sown on plants especially cultivated for the purpose, and we believe, 

 although the evidence is not wholly conclusive, that in nature the source of infection 

 in the spring is wholly from the fallen leaves of tlie previous year or from the soil 

 upon which they have rested, and that the spores are probably blown in the rain or 

 dust to the young quince leaves. Tiie utility of complete destruction of all diseased 

 leaves as fast as they appear, especially in quince nurseries, is at once obvious; and 

 the raking up in the autumn and burning of all fallen leaves and waste fruits 

 in quince orchards is advised. Spores could not be found lodged in bark or bud 

 scales in close proximity to the opening bud, as we had expected; indeed, none 

 of our investigations thus far indicate a source of infection other than we have 

 described. * * * 



It is clear that certain varieties are more susceptible to the attack of this parasite 

 than others. As an illustration, the Angers was badly infested, but the Meech, 

 growing beside the former on the university grounds, was nearly free. 



[Studies on the api)le-scab fungus (Fiisicladlnm ditidritieiim), suhscquent to those 

 mentioned in Bulletin No. 19 of the station (See Experiment Station Record, Vol. II, 

 p. 24G), indicated tliat] the failure of the apple crop during the last season was 

 probably due primarily to a physiological disturbance (too low temperature at the 

 time of the blossoming, it is thought); the young fruits which survived this first 

 shock were then attacked by the apple scab and the curculio, the conditions ftivoring 

 the activity of both. The trees were also weakened by the attack on the foliage of 

 the apple scab, and the wholesale destruction of the crop under these circumstances 

 is not surprising. C.-ireful observations will be made in the future to ascertain if the 

 fungus does or does not attack the flowers, as work will be continued on this disease 

 during the winter and spring. » * * 



A series of experiments on the optimal temperature of germinating spores has been 

 instituted. A few species only have been taken up, but thus far fungi which thrive 

 best in a cold, wet season are found to prefer a low germinating temperature [See 

 Bulletin No. 24 of the station, and Exjieriment Station Record, Vol. II, p. 421]. 

 Those thriving in a hot summer show a correspondingly high optimal temperature. 



It is not difficult to see that definite information on the limits of germination of 

 the spoi-es of each of our troul>lesome fungous parasites might be of great service to 

 owners of greenhouses an 1 forcing-houses. The jireservation of a specific temper- 

 ature, not injurious to the host plant, might doi)rive the fungus in certain cases of 

 its power of attack. 



Kkport of entomologist, J. TI. CoMSTOCK, B. S. (pp. 35-42, illus- 

 trated). — An illusfcnited description of the iusectary, an account of the 

 collections in entomology ])elonoing to the station, and brief notes on 

 tlie work of the year. The results of experiments with insecticides for 

 "wire-worms will soon be published, though thus far they are chielly 

 negative. It has been determined that the most common species of 

 wire-worms can not be destroyed by the use of salt in quantities not 

 injurious to crops. "We have also demonstrated the imi)racticability 

 of starving wire-worms in the soil by sowing either buckwheat or mus- 

 tard, as has often been recommended, or even by starving them by 

 clean fallow." Observations have shown that though the wire-worm 

 matures in tiie latter part of the summer the adult remains in its cell in 

 the ground till the following spring. 



