552 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



hoaltby grapes and leaves contain considerably more carbohydrates and less 

 of the various forms of nitrogen than the diseased grapes and leaves. The con- 

 clusion is drawn that the disease is due to the absorption of an excess of 

 nitrogenous material from soils extremely poor in nitrogen and phosphoric acid. 



Notes on Monilia disease of fruit trees, G. de Istvanffi {Bui. Inst. Cent. 

 Ampclol. Roy. Hongrois, 1 (1906), pp. 29-39 [puJ). 1908]).— A study was made 

 of the Monilia disease of fruit trees, particular attention being given to the 

 attack of that fungus on cherries. 



The effect of fog, soils, and susceptible varieties as contributing causes to 

 the presence of this disease are described, after which notes are given on the 

 hibernation of the fungus and its methods of attack. The spores were found 

 to be quite resistant in their germination, but it is shown that when subjected 

 to alternate cold and warm temperatures such as occur during winter seasons 

 the vitality of a large proportion of the spores is destroyed. 



In experiments conducted for the prevention of the Monilia, Bordeaux mix- 

 ture, neutral copper acetate, and bisulphite of calcium were tested. As a result 

 the author recommends the clearing out of all rubbish, cutting out dead limbs, 

 and clearing away deposited gum during the winter, after which the trees 

 should be sprayed before the opening of the buds with some of the fungicides 

 mentioned above. In case of fogs or wet seasons subsequent sprayings should 

 be made from time to time. 



The bud-rot of the coconut palm, J. K. .Johnston (U. S. Drpt. Agr., Bur. 

 Plant Indus. Circ. 36, pp. 5). — Attention is called to the bud-rot of coconut, a 

 disease which has apparently been known in tropical America for a considerable 

 time, and is believed to be of bacterial origin. The disease or similar diseases 

 is widely distributed throughout tropical America, and possibly it may occur 

 in the East Indies, Ceylon, and elsewhere. 



The writer is preparing a full account of his investigations, and desires 

 further knowledge regarding the occurrence of the disease, its relation to 

 climatic and soil conditions, illustrations, etc. 



The present status of the white pine blights, P. Spaulding (U. »S(. Dcpt. 

 Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 35, pp. 12). — This circular presents the results of 

 investigations on white pine blight, and shows that there are several distinct 

 diseases due to as many different causes. One of the most common forms of 

 twig blight was due to the fungus Septoria spadicea n. sp., described by Mrs. 

 Flora W. Patterson and Miss Vera K. Charles. 



The most characteristic leaf blight is due to an undetermined cause, and 

 was much less prevalent in 1908 than in previous years. Many partially 

 affected trees have recovered, while no new ones became diseased. A twig 

 blight caused by Lophodermium hrachysporum is liable to occur if the weather 

 is especially favorable to the fungus, but little damage from this disease is to 

 be apprehended. The other diseases are all believed to be of transitory char- 

 acter and thus far have caused no permanent damage. 



An eelworm in fern fronds (Roy. Bot. Gard. Kew, Bui. Misc. Inform., 1909, 

 No. 6, pp. 2.'i3, 2ji-'f, fig. 1). — A description is given of Aphelenchus olesistus 

 which has been recently noticed as occurring in fern fronds, causing conspicu- 

 ous, well-defined brown stripes or irregularly shaped blotches on the fronds of 

 various species of ferns grown under glass. The same nematode is said to 

 cause brown patches on the leaves of begonias, chrysanthemums, coleus, 

 gloxinia, etc. Dusting the plants with a mixture of tobacco powder and sulphur 

 is said to be an excellent remedy for this pest. 



