248 EXPERIMENT STATION KECOED. 



of shoots the ends of which were covered with mildew, were removed and 

 burned. Winter spraying with Bordeaux mixture and with " sour " Bordeaux 

 mixture (from 4 to 5 per cent solution) did not prevent fruit infection by the 

 mildew. 



The American gooseberry mildew, E. S. Salmon {Jour. Southeast. Agr. Col. 

 Wye, 1909, No. 18, pp. 271-293, pis. J,). — A history is given of the spread of this 

 disease in Kent, England, the damage done by it, the extent of the infected area 

 and remedies used for its control and the success obtained by their use. 



It is claimed that the disease obtained a foothold through several growers of 

 gooseberries concealing its presence on their plantations until the disease be- 

 came very serious and widely disseminated. It is stated that no success can be 

 obtained in eradicating it imless the winter pruning of infected shoots is done 

 quite early and very thoroughly. For summer control to prevent further in 

 fectlon by conidia, the use of freshly mixed potassium sulphid is claimed to hb 

 the only sure remedy. 



The Sclerotinia (Botrytis) disease of the g'ooseberry, or die back, E. S. 

 Salmon (Jour. Southeast. Agr. Col. Wye, 1909, No. 18, pp. 319-327, pis. 5, fig. 

 1). — ^A description of and remedies for this disease are given. 



The author claims that the sclerotia formed by this fungus produce both 

 conidia and ascospores. The prompt removal and destruction of all dead and 

 dying bushes carried out for a few seasons is claimed to be more efficacious in 

 stampiug out this disease than spraying. 



Teratological form.s of Oxycoccus macrocarpus, C. L. Sheak {Science, n. ser., 

 33 {1911), No. 840, p. 194). — The author reports a malformation of the cran- 

 berry plant of both economic and scientific interest, occurring at Grand Rapids, 

 Wis. The flowers become erect instead of drooping, and the calyx and corolla, 

 and frequently the stamens and pistil, are changed into leaflike structures. 



No insects or fungi have been found to bear a causal relation to the malfor- 

 mation, and the trouble Is supix)sed to be caused by a prolonged and excessive 

 stimulation of vegetative growth. 



On the abnormal branching of Asparagus sprengeri, A. Y. Grevillius 

 (Ztschr. PflanzenJcrank., 21 {1911), No. 1-2, pp. 17-27, figs. 7).— Attention is 

 called to an abnormal branching of this ornamental plant, in which at the base 

 of many of the main branches one or more knotlike processes up to 2J centi- 

 meters in diameter developed. These deformities were usually found to occur 

 on plants growing in an atmosphere saturated with moisture, in a soil thor- 

 oughly watered, and in poorly ventilated places (greenhouses). The malforma- 

 tion occurs in both rich soil and poor soil, while instances have also been noted 

 of its occurrence on plants growing in the open. 



Carnation alternariose, F. L. Stevens and J. G. Hall (North Carolina 8ta. 

 Rpt. 1909, pp. 72-75, figs. 2). — Previously noted from another source (E. S. R., 

 21, p. 449). 



The mildew of the oak, M. Mangin {Rev. Eaux et Forets, 50 {1911), No. 8, 

 pp. 225-239). — After giving the opinions of various investigators as to the taxo- 

 nomic position of this serious European oak mildew, the author discusses its 

 characters and developrjent, the species of oak attacked, the methods of propa- 

 gation, the damage done by it, and possible remedies. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



A systematic synopsis of the muskrats, N. Hollister {U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bur. Biol. Survey, North American Fauna No. 32, pp. 38, pis. 6). — The author 

 recognizes three existing species, Fiber obscunis, F. rivalicius, and F. zibethicus, 

 and 11 varieties of the last-named species. Three fossil species are recognized, 



