2fifi EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



Diseases of timber, H. von Schrexk (Forestry and Ir rig., 8 [1902), No. 2, pp. 

 60-63, figs. 5) . — Notes are given on some of the means by which timber is destroyed, 

 particular attention being paid to the attacks of Traynetes pi in, Polyporus schwemilzii, 

 and other species on Uving coniferous trees. Attention is called to the rapid decay of 

 railway ties, l)ridge and other construction timbers, and suggestions are offered for 

 the prevention of this destruction by the application of various chemical agents. 



The disease of larch, J. Simpson {Gard. Chron., S. ser., 81 {190^), Nos. 79S, pp. 

 23S, 239; 799, pp. 2.56, 2.57). — On account of the proposed investigation into the larch 

 disease in England, the author calls attention to some of the more important facts 

 relating to it. The distribution of the disease throughout Great Britain is indicated, 

 and attention called to the difference between the larch blister or blight, which is 

 due to species of aphis, and the disease of larches caused by attacks of the fungus 

 Peziza iviUkomU. 



A disease of the American ash, H. von Schrenk (Abs. In Science, n. .'<er., 15 

 [1902) , No. 376, p. 406). — [Mention is made of a disease of the common ash {Fraxinus 

 americanu) which is caused by attacks of Pohjporus fraxineus. Where this disease 

 is prevalent it is said that a large percentage of the tr^es are affected. 



Carnation anthracnose, M. C. Cooke ( Gard. Chron., 3. ser., 31 [1902) , No. 7 95, pp. 

 193, 194). — A descrij^tion is given of a disease that has recently ajipeared among the 

 carnations in England, in which the leaves are first spotted with small purple round- 

 ish spots. These gradually enlarge and become confluent and indeterminate, and at 

 length brownish in the center. In the meantime the leaves become weakened and 

 begin to die at the tip. The general character of the disease is that commonly described 

 as an anthracnose, and the author has described the fungus causing it as a new species 

 to which the name Glavspori nm dkmUn is given. The technical characters of the 

 fungus are mentioned and it is believed that dilute Bordeaux mixture, together with 

 the ]iirking i)ff and destroying of the diseased leaves, would prevent its spread. 



Sterilized soil for carnation stem rot, W. K. Pierson {Gardening, 10 {1902), No. 

 228, pp. 179-181) . — A report is given of investigations made by the author and others 

 on the prevention of stem rot, which is due to Rhizoctonia sp. The soil of benches 

 in which carnations were grown was sterilized by steam heat. The expense of steril- 

 izing the soil in a house 16 by 300 ft. was about %2h. In the sterilized soil only 

 about half a dozen plants were lost out of 1,500 planted. This loss is so slight that 

 it is believed the difficulty was overcome. While not claiming that sterilization is a 

 cure for stem rot, the author thinks that, if pro])erly managed, it will secure the pre- 

 vention of attack. In addition to destroying the fungus, nematodes and other trouble- 

 some pests will be likewise eradicated. 



Fungus pests of the carnation family, M. C. Cooke {Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc. 

 \_London'\,26 {1902), No. 4, pp- 649-656, pis. 2). — A summary and list is given of the 

 parasitic; fungi which attack the carnation family of plants. They are divided into 

 the leaf-spotting fungi, molds, smuts, rusts, and the bacterial diseases. The fungi 

 causing each of these diseases are described at some length, and a list is given of all 

 the parasites known to occur upon species of Caryophyllacese, whether cultivated or 

 uncultivated. The total number of species reported is 60. 



Observations on the bacterial rot of the calla lily, C. O. Towxsend {Alis. in 

 Science, n. ser., 15 (1902), No. 376, pp. 404, 405). — A bacterial rot of the calla lily is 

 briefly described, which is cliaracterized as a soft brown rot with offensive odor that 

 usually attacks the bulbs, but may appear on the roots or leaves. It is rei)orted as 

 having destroyed all the plants in greenhouses in the vicinity of Washington, D. C. 

 As a rule, the bulb shows the disease most frequently near the top, but it often hap- 

 pens that the attack is made below the surface of the ground, in which case the bulb 

 is almost entirely destroyed before the leaves indicate that the plant is diseased. 

 Cultures made from diseased areas usually give pure cultures of a rod-shajied motile 

 bacteria. The action of the organism in various nutrient media is briefly described. 



