148 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A Mycosphaerella wilt of melons, J. G. Grossenbacher (New York State 

 Sta. Tech. Bui. ',), pp. 193-229, pJs. 6). — An account is given of investigations on 

 a muskuielon disease wliieh caused considerable injury to plants grown in the 

 greenhouses during 1907 and 1908. The disease was accompanied by attacks 

 of a red spider, but in 1908 the spiders caused but little injury. The disease 

 seems to be similar to that reported from Delaware (E. S. R., 5, p. 787; 17, p. 

 47) and the literature from the Delaware Station is critically reviewed. 



During 1907 and 1908 the author made a study of the disease which appeared 

 on the muskmelon vines in the station greenhouses at about the time the vines 

 attained their full growth. The affected plants wilt, their lower nodes and some 

 of the internodes become oily-green in color with or without exudation, and 

 finally turn dark and gummy or dry and gray. 



Cultures were made of the fungus and both ascospores and pycnidiospores 

 were obtained and inoculations proved the identity of the organisms. Inocula- 

 tions were also made of a number of related species of cucurbitaceous i)lants, 

 but Curumis mclo was the only one that was positively affected, although it is 

 probable that it occurs also on the watermelon. Technical descriptions are 

 given of the 2 forms with the names MycosplaereUa citniUina n. n. and Dip- 

 lodina citncllina n. n. 



According to the author, there is little probability of the disease becoming a 

 menace in fields, as the fungus requires moist warm environment for its infec- 

 tion and development. 



Gooseberry mildew and gooseberry cultivation, J. Eriksson (Jour. Roy. 

 Hort. Soc. [London], 3'/ {1909). .Ao. 3, pp. Ii69-.'i72). — An account is given 

 of the introduction of the gooseberry mildew (Sphwrothcca inor.t-uvo') into 

 Europe and the present aspect of the question is presented. 



Necrosis of the grapevine, D. Reddick (Ncu) York Cornell Sia. BuL 263, 

 pp. 323-3'i3, pys. 11). — According to the author, a careful ex!.niin:;tion of vine- 

 yards in 3 of the large grape-growing regions of New York showed that many of 

 the vines were dying and that apparently the trouble was due to a fungus. 

 Some work has been done on the life histoi-y of the parasite, and it is believed 

 that enough is known to warrant a preliminary report in order to call attention 

 to the disease, to obtain further information regarding it, and to suggest preven- 

 tive measures. 



As far as the author's observations have gone, the Concord seems most 

 affected, although the trouble has been noted upon a considerable number of 

 other varieties. The disease is apparently identical with that described in 

 Circular G4 of the Ohio Station (E. S. R., 18, p. 845), where it is called localized 

 stem blight. Its presence may be recognized in a number of ways, among them 

 the failure to put out shoots, the splitting of vines during hot weather, the 

 dying of new shoots after a short period of growth, the dwarfing of the shoots 

 and leaves, and a yellowing or blanched condition of the leaves, often crimpled 

 about the mai'gins. 



The fungus causing this disease is identified as Fusicoccuin viticoluin u. sp., 

 a technical description of which is given. The fungus is apparently distributed 

 to a slight extent by the washing of the spores from the vines, but more com- 

 monly by carrying infected material on pruning shears, and through the dis- 

 tribution of diseased stock. The progress of the fungus on the old wood of the 

 vine is slow and its action indicates that it is a wound parasite. 



Since the fungus is inside the tissues when the presence of the disease is indi- 

 cated spraying would have no effect, except that thorough spraying in May and 

 June would probably prevent new infections. The eradication of the disease 

 must be through the renewal of the entire vine or a i»art of it, and pruning 

 should be resorted to, the vines being carefully cut below the diseased areas. 



