DISEASES or PLANTS. 547 



Apple diseases caused by Coryneum foliicolum and Phoma mali, C. E. 

 Lewis { Maine .S7«. Bui. 110, pp. lH.J-iijO, pis. 13). — This is an account of the 

 cultural charactei-s of these two fungi, together with the results of inoculation 

 experiments which were made in order to determine their parasitism upon the 

 leaves, wood, and fruit of the apple. 



It is claimed that the two fungi under consideration, C. foUicohim. and P. 

 mail, usually attack as wound parasites the wood of young a]ip]e trees and the 

 branches of old trees. P, mali can cause a rather rapid and complete decay 

 of ripe apples and can also attack the green fruit to some extent, while C. 

 foliicolum causes only a slight decay of the ripe fruit. Neither of these fungi 

 has been found to cause disease in uninjured leaves, but they may occur on 

 dead spots in apple leaves. It is stated that their distribution can be largely 

 controlled by removing and burning the dead wood on which they occur. 



A new disease, black mold, of the grapes in Russia, S. Mokrzecki (Ztschr. 

 Pflarizenkrank., 19 (1909), No. 7, pp. 387, 388, pgs. 3). — This disease appeared 

 after the very cold winter of 1907 in several Russian provinces. It affected the- 

 blooms, appearing first as rose-colored spots on the sepals, which later turned 

 brown. The sepals and entire inflorescence finally blackened, withered, and 

 fell off. In several provinces the entire crop was destroyed, while in others it 

 was only partially so. A microscopical examination by different mycologists 

 failed to show any trace of fungi in the diseased tissues. It is, therefore, sup- 

 posed to be due to physiological causes, and probably to the severe cold. 



Two epidemics of mildew in Baden, K. Mijller iZlschr. Pflansenkrank,, 19 

 (1909), No. 3, pp. 143, Li'f).— In vai'ious portions of Baden in 1908, there was a 

 serious epidemic of mildew (Sphwrothecainors-uva) on gooseberries, only 

 the imported American varieties being attacked. In the summer of the same 

 year the oaks were also affected by a mildew ( Microsphtera ) that did much 

 damage to the trees. 



The die back of cacao trees and the brown rot of cacao fruits, A. E. van 

 Hall-de Jonge and A. W. Drost (Dept. Lamlh. Surinanic Bui. 21, pp. 15, 

 pi. 1). — The die back of cacao trees and the brown rot of the pods are said to 

 be due to the same cause, and these diseases affect trees only when through 

 attacks of insects, winds, lack of shade, or other means, the trees are in a leaf- 

 less condition. The healthy pods are not attacked, but only those which have 

 been injured in some way. Various fungi have been attributed as the cause of 

 these diseases, but the author claims that they are due to Diplodia cacaoicola 

 and that Chaetodiplodia and Lasiodiplodia are synonymous with Diplodia. 



For the prevention of the diseases the authors recommend the removing of all 

 parts where the mycelium has spread and coating the wounds with tar. 



The canker or red rot of cacao trees, A. E. van Hall-de Jonge (Rec. Trav. 

 Bot. NcerhunL, 6 (1909), pp. 1-25; Dept. Landb. SuHname Bui. 20, pp. 22, pis. 

 3). — The author describes the canker of cacao trees due to the fungus Spicaria 

 colorans n. sp. This disease has been known in Surinam for a considerable time 

 and in 1907 caused great damage in certain cacao-growing districts. Besides 

 the Spicaria fructification the fungus forms fruiting organs resembling those of 

 Fusarinm. The disease in Surinam is said to be in all respects similar to that 

 occurring in Ceylon. Java, and elsewhere that has been attributed to species of 

 Nectria, but the author claims that there has been no definite proof that Nectria 

 causes the canker disease or that the Nectria occurs on the pods, as has been 

 previously stated. 



The witches' broom disease in Surinam, its cause and treatment, C. J. J. 

 van Hall and A. W. Drost, trans, by A. Fredholm (Proc. Agr. 80c. Trinidad 

 and Tohago, 9 (1909), No. 12, pp. 475-564, pis. 17, dgms. 6).— This is a trans- 



