746 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.36 



British-grown timber and timber trees, A. D. Webster (London: William 

 Rider d Smi, Ltd., 1916, pp. XII+16.i, pis. 41, fig. i).— A concise description of 

 each species, together with notes as to their value for ornamental and economic 

 planting, including an account of the soils suited to their cultivation, the uses 

 to which the timber is applied, the current value of the wood, etc. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



[Report of the research assistant in plant pathology], G. H. Coons (Michi- 

 gan Sta. Ri}t. 1916, pp. 265-274).— The author describes the various lines of 

 work in progress during the year, particular attention having been paid to the 

 cause and control of a certain limb and twig disease of the apple. The disease 

 in question was found to be due to Plenodomus fuscomaculans, and preliminary 

 accounts of some of the phases of the investigation have already been given 

 (E. S. R., 34, p. 647; 35, p. 653) in connection with investigations carried on 

 under the author's direction. 



Considerable advance has been made in the study of bean diseases and their 

 control, and while preventive treatment by hot water or chemicals has given 

 little promise for the control of bean anthracnose and blight, it has been found 

 possible by the planting of resistant varieties to escape serious losses. In con- 

 nection with this investigation, the feasibility of growing beans for seed pur- 

 poses in western regions where blight does not exist has been demonstrated. 



Some notes are given on investigations of potato diseases, particularly a 

 wilt due to Fusarium, the efficiency of some forms of sterilization of soil in 

 connection with the growing of celery, and miscellaneous pests of potatoes, 

 grain, and vegetables. Among the vegetable diseases reported upon is a fruit rot 

 of tomato, from which a yellow bacterial organism has been isolated that seems 

 to differ from Bacterium michiganense, especially in the fact that no wilting of 

 the stem occurs. 



[Plant diseases in Uganda, 1915], R. Fyffe (Ann. Rpt. Bot., Forestry and 

 Sci. Dept. Uganda, 1915, pp. 5, 6). — It is stated that Para rubber trees suffered 

 considerably during the year from attacks on the roots by Fomes semitostus 

 and Hymenochwte noxiu. The former is found to propagate itself only by 

 means of mycelium. Both are controlled by trenches isolating affected areas, 

 by sprinkling lime around affected trees, and by exposing the roots to the sun's 

 rays. 



A few pods of cacao (Theobroma cacao) affected with brown rot (Phytopli- 

 thora faheri) were burnt, this being considered to be the best means for con- 

 trol of the disease. 



Costa Rica coffee plants were found to be susceptible to Hemileia vastatrix 

 as are any of the other varieties of coffee cultivated in this country. A variety 

 of coffee grown from seed obtained from the Sese Islands appears to be the 

 most resistant yet tried, except perhaps a single old tree of Coffea liberica said 

 to be very robust but of slow growth. 



Phytopathological work in the Tropics, J. R. Johnston (Phytopathology, 

 6 (1916), No. 5, pp. 38i-386).— Attention is called to the necessity of phyto- 

 pathological studies in the Tropics, and some of the work in progress is briefly 

 described. A plan is outlined for a greater amount of cooperation in investiga- 

 tions and a better coordination of efforts for the control of plant diseases in 

 the American Tropics. 



Tacultative heteroscisra of Peridermium harknessii and Cronartium quer- 

 cus, F. D. Feoaime (Phytopathology, 6 (1916), No. 5, pp. 4II, ^12).— The author 

 criticizes the conclusion of Meinecke (E. S. R., 36, p. 454) regarding facultative 

 heteroecism in these two rusts and states that the cases cited do not meet the 



