(>0 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



oics an<l B. doiir/htxii, which lias been described as occurring upon the Douglas 

 spruce. The investigations of the author seem to indicate that the 2 species of 

 Botrytis are identical. 



A disease of betel-nut palms, G. Watt {Agr. Ledger, 1901, No. S {Crop Disease 

 and Pest Ser., Xo. (J), pp. 1^'9-180, pis. S, figs. 4)- — An account is given of a disease 

 of the betel-nut palm [Areca catechu) which has been under observation since 1896. 

 The disease has been reported from a number of localities in India, and examinations 

 of the infected material seem to show the almost total absence of fungi and bacteria 

 as contributory causes of disease, although they were abundant in the decaying 

 material. The author believes the disease is due to the formation of tyloses within 

 the cells of the plant and the gradual l)reaking dcjwn of the cell walls. Thus far he 

 has been unable to produce the disease under artificial conditions. Improved meth- 

 ods of cultivation and thorough soil drainage are recommended as possible remedies. 



Cacao canker in Ceylon, J. B. Carruthers {Roy. Bot. Gard. Ceylon, Circ, 1. 

 ser., 1901, No. 23, pp. 295-323). — The cacao canker was first brought to general 

 notice in Ceylon in 1896 and within a few years spread over a wide area, causing 

 great destruction. Investigations by the author seem to show that the disease must 

 have been present for a number of years prior to the sudden outbreak, as it is ordi- 

 narily of rather slow development. The disease attacks the stem and pods and is 

 due to a species of Nectria. It has associated with it in some cases a species of 

 Phyt()2)hthora. The results of a number of inoculation experiments are sliown by 

 which the definite cause of the disease is established. The treatment suggested is 

 to cut out the cankered places in the trunk, shaving the bark, and burning the wood 

 by holding to the exposed surface a vessel filled with hot coals or by some similar 

 method. The diseased pods should also be collected and destroyed by burning or 

 burying with lime. If these precautions are taken and persisted in, the disease can 

 be held in check. 



Some spraying- experiments for 1901, L. F. Henderson {Idaho Sta. Bui. 31, 

 pjj. .j.'>-67). — Spraying experiments were conducted for the prevention of the grape 

 powdery mildew ( Uncinitla spiralis). This fungus has been noted as doing consider- 

 able damage to grapes for a number of years, in some localities destroying nearly the 

 entire croji. The experiments were conducted with Bordeaux mixture, ammoniacal 

 copper carbonate, and potassium sulphid solutions. Of the fungicides used, Bor- 

 deaux mixture gave the best results. The Bordeaux mixture, prepared with 6 lbs. 

 of coi)per sulphate, and 4 of lime, to 45 galls, of water, was injurious to the tender 

 leaves and vines, but where equal amounts of lime and copper sulphate were 

 employed no injury was done. The experiment shows that sprayings should be con- 

 tiimed as late as August or the middle of September for the best results. The rows 

 treated with sulphur were not as free from mildew as those treated with ammoniacal 

 copper carl^onate, and those treated with potassium sulphid were more affected by 

 disease than the others. The American varieties of grapes were found to be little 

 subject to the powdery mildew in Idaho, while of the European varieties tlie Black 

 Moroccos and Black Ilamlnirgs were most subject to disease and the Flame Tokays 

 and Malagas the least. 



A spraying experiment was conducted for the control of peach-leaf curl, in which 

 Bordeaux mixture and the lime, sulphur, and salt wash was tested. The lime- 

 sulphur-salt mixture as a fungicide proved effectual in reducing the amount of peach- 

 leaf curl, and incidentally proved that the lime and sulphur would destroy the San 

 Jose scale without the salt additions. It is believed doubtful whether salt is of any 

 material Ijenefit in this mixture. 



Spraying- for grape rot, A. D. Selbv and J. F. Hicks {Ohio Sta. Bid. 130, pp. 

 29-41). — In continuation of the experiments reported in Bulletin 123 of the station 

 (E. S. E,., 13, p. 259) experiments have lieen conducted for the prevention of grape 

 rot. Bordeaux mixture, ammoniacal copper carbonate, and soda-Bordeaux mixture 



