G48 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



do not consider this a specific disease of the potato nor do they think 

 any treatment necessary. About the middle of July several extremely 

 hot, sunny days following a long rainy period occurred, and in many 

 potato fields on low ground the plants began to wilt. Investigation 

 of the plants showed that there was no one organism, with possibly 

 the exception of bacteria, affecting the plants, but there was a gen- 

 eral rotting resulting from the wet condition of the soil and the con- 

 sequent low vitality of the plants. This trouble was considered to 

 be due to abnormal weather conditions, and when the potatoes had 

 reached a marketable size the authors recommended digging them to 

 prevent decay. 



In August the potato blight or rot due to Phytophthora infestans 

 appeared and spread extensively. 



The drop of lettuce caused by Botrytis sp. is discussed at some length, 

 and suggestions are given for the sterilization of soil in greenhouses by 

 steam or other means. Steam sterilization is thought to be the most 

 promising. Various methods of treatment for this disease are being 

 investigated, and it is said to be desirable to ascertain how deep the 

 soil should be sterilized in order to keep down the fungus. 



Notes are given on asparagus rust and the possibility of checking it by 

 cutting and burning the plants is discussed. Several instances are 

 cited in which cutting, which was extensively practiced in the season 

 of 1897, seemed to be almost entirely without effect, the rust appearing 

 quite badly on the second growth. The experience of another season 

 is said to be necessary to demonstrate the effect and seriousness of this 

 disease. 



The authors briefly discuss the fire blight of pear, quince, and apple 

 due to Micrococcus amylovorus, quince rust caused by Gynmosporangi urn 

 clampes, the brown rot of stone fruits due to Monilia friictigena, and 

 chrysanthemum rust caused by Puccinia tanaceti. In reference to the 

 last-named disease they state that great care should be exercised in 

 selecting cuttings from vigorous plants unaffected by rust, and that 

 spraying with Bordeaux mixture or a potassium sulphid solution will 

 probably prove profitable. Several other diseases affecting the leaves of 

 chrysanthemums are noted, but the discoloration of the leaves affected 

 by the rust will distinguish them. In the case of the rust there is a 

 production of numerous small pustules on the under side of the leaf 

 which contain a dark red powdery substance similar to carnation rust. 



A disease of the cultivated geranium is briefly described, which is 

 characterized by the leaves turning yellow in small spots which grad- 

 ually increase in size, the leaf tissue dying away at these points. 

 The dead spots spread until finally the leaves lose their vitality com- 

 pletely. All varieties are equally affected. The disease is reported 

 from several localities in the State. The" injury seemed to be the 

 result of an attack of some fungus, but investigation of infected 

 leaves failed to reveal any specific organism. Plants sprayed with 



