DISEASES OF PLANTS. 345 



The control of the American gooseberry mildew, C. M. Williams {Ann. 

 Rpt. Quebec 8oc. Protec. Plants [etc.'], 3 (1910-11), pp. 80, 81).— An account is 

 given of a series of experiments in which lime-sulphur, potassium sulphid, and 

 Bordeaux mixture were used for controlling the American gooseberry mildew 

 (Sphcerotheca mors-uvw) . The varieties attacked by this fungus are mostly 

 European, and in some instances severe loss is occasioned. 



The plats receiving the lime-sulphur gave the best growth and mildew was 

 only slightly in evidence. Potassium sulphid was somewhat less satisfactory, 

 and Bordeaux mixture proved a failure for the control of the fungus. 



Banana and plantain disease, J. B. Rorer (West India Com. Circ, 26 

 (1911), No. 836, pp. 389-391). — A somewhat detailed account is given of a dis- 

 ease of bananas and plantains due to Bacillus miisce, a technical description of 

 which has been given elsewhere (E. S. R., 24, p. 250; 25, p. 148). 



The new chestnut bark disease, I. C. Williams (Science, n. ser., 34 (1911), 

 No. 874, pp. 397-400). — An account is given of the chestnut bark disease due to 

 DiaportJie parasitica (E. S. R., 19, p. 250). 



The fungus is thought to enter usually through wounds in the bark, broken 

 twig ends, or insect tunnels, but the author states that numerous instances 

 have been found where it penetrated through the lenticels of the bark. There 

 have also been found some well-defined instances where yellow pustules were 

 growing upon freshly exposed wood. 



Some notes are given on the vitality of the fungus, the author stating that it 

 has been found containing active fruiting bodies on unbarked chestnut rails 

 that had been dried for more than a year. Specimens contained in moist cells 

 for 37 months continued to produce pustules. 



The author describes at some length the efforts that are being made in Penn- 

 sylvania to control this disease, $275,000 having been appropriated by the State 

 for that purpose. In addition this Department has an appropriation of $5,000 

 for a study of the disease. 



Diseases of the white pine, P. Vuillemin (Conipt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 

 152 (1911), No. 22, pp. 1497, i498).— Attention is called to the reported presence 

 on white pines in some nurseries in France of the fungus Hypoderma brachy- 

 sporum. The author states that he observed this fungus on the needles of 

 white pine near Epinal as early as 1888. Nearby a number of vigorous white 

 pines were growing which did not seem to be affected, and he doubts whether 

 the fungus is a very active parasite. 



He observed, while studying the Hypoderma, cankers caused by Dasyscypha 

 calycina and also the fungus Armellaria mellca on the infected trees, and he 

 thinks that all the species were present as a result of weakened growth due to 

 unfavorable soil conditions. 



Loranthus as a parasite on Hevea brasiliensis, E. Bateson (Agr. Bttl. 

 Straits and Fed. Malay States, 10 (1911), No. 11, pp. 360, 36i ) .—Attention is 

 called to the parasitism of Loranthus on Para rubber trees, and the author 

 states that it also attacks casuarinas and mangosteens. 



On the means for combating plant diseases, K. MiJXLER (Ber. Grossh. Bad. 

 Landw. Vers. Anst. Augustenh., 1910, pp. 60-63). — In continuance of previous 

 investigations (E. S. R., 24, p. 745) the author reports as follows: 



Sulfabion is now presented in a somewhat expensive form, is not sufficiently 

 misclble with water, and does not adhere persistently to the plants. Compari- 

 sons with sulphur as to efficiency in combating Oidium proved impracticable, as 

 Oldium did not appear except sparingly. 



Cucasa, a rather expensive powder but convenient for use, requiring simply 

 admixture with water, and offered as a defense against Peronospora, was tested 

 with regard to the claim that it requires fewer applications than a Bordeaux 



