52 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



leaf spot (Scpfocjlauiii niori). mildew ( rinilldctinia (oriilrn), and trunk rot 

 (. Polj/porus hisiridiis). 



Of these diseases the twig blight is prolKibly the most important, as it 

 directly affects the yield of the leaves required in silk culture. The fungus is 

 parasitic on the smaller branches, usually near the base, and is not confined 

 to living trees, but is also found on dead prunings and broken branches on the 

 ground. It is apparently a wound parasite and attention should be paid to the 

 pruning of mulberry trees and the methods of gathering the leaves. In addi- 

 tion to the nnilberry, this fungus has been found on a number of other plants, 

 producing symptoms exactly similar to those on tlie mulberry. 



The white pine blister rust, C. K. Pettis (Forestry Quart., 7 {1909), No. 3, 

 pp. 231-287). — Attention is called to the introduction in this country of the 

 blister rust (Pcridcrmium strobl) which attacks the white pine. This disease 

 is not indigenous to this country, but was imported from Europe on pine seed- 

 lings in the spring of 1909. The alternate form, Cronartiiim rihicola, has been 

 reported before and an account given in a previous publication (E. S. R., 18, 

 p. 747). 



The presence of the fungus was noted on a large importation of pine seed- 

 lings obtained in the spring of 1909 from Germany and its identity established. 

 Subsequently, a conference was held in New York to determine measures for 

 the control of the disease, and a plan has been adopted for the State which in- 

 cludes the inspection of all premises where white pine seedlings have been in- 

 troduced and the destruction of all infested pines or Ilibes plants. It is 

 thought that jirohalily the inspection should be continued for several years. 



Note on the biology of Pestalozzia hartigii, C. E. C. Fischer {Jour. Econ. 

 Biol., 4 {1909), No. 3, pp. 12-11, pi. /).— This fungus, which has long been 

 known as an active agent of a seedling disease of several timber trees, is said 

 to attack, both in the nursery and in natural surroundings, seedlings of beech, 

 ash, maple, spruce, and silver fir. It causes constriction on the stem just 

 above the level of the soil and destroys the cambium all the way around the 

 stem. 



Hitherto there has been no connection discovered between this species and 

 any of the definite groups of higher fungi, and the author carried on experi- 

 ments to determine if possible the life history of the parasite. Cultures were 

 made, and it was found comparatively easy to germinate the conidia and grow 

 the fungus. A number of inoculation experiments were undertaken with quite 

 a range of seedlings, but in no case did infection result from the inoculation. 

 It seems probable that some conditions which are supplied in nature were 

 lacking in the experiments. It is thought possible that the cooperation of some 

 other organism is necessary to enable this species to attack actively its host 

 plants. Thus far no form of reproductive organs has been obtained other than 

 those already known. 



Fomes lucidus, a suspected parasite, E. J. Butler {Indian Forester, 35 

 {1909), No. 9, pp. 514-518, pi. i).— The author states that this species, one 

 of the largest and handsomest of the bracket fungi, is widely distributed 

 throughout the world, reaching its greatest development in the Tropics. It has 

 been usually considered a saprophyte, but recent observations on a considerable 

 number of species of trees seem to indicate that it is a common and widespread 

 destructive tree parasite in India and possibly elsewhere. 



Wood-destroying fungi, J. Schorstein (Ostcrr. Forst u. Jagd Ztg., 21 

 (1909), Nos. 29, pp. 255-251, figs. 10; 31, pp. 212, 213, figs. i5).— Illustrated de- 

 scriptive notes are given on a number of the more common fungi which attack 

 timbers of various sorts, 22 species being noted. 



