1088 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A destructive apple rot following- scab, H. J. Eustace {Neiv York State Sta. 

 Bui. ^^7, pp. 367-389, pis. 9). — During the autumn of 1902 in western New York 

 there appeared a white, mildew-Hke fungus upon apples which was associated with 

 the scab which had been unusually prevalent during the season. There was no rela- 

 tion between the 2 fungi except that the apple scab, by breaking the epidermis, made 

 it possible for the second fungus to infest the fruit. An examination showed that 

 this new disease was caused by the fungus Cephalotheciuui roscum, a fungus which 

 had hitherto been regarded as a saprophyte. A description is given of the organism 

 and the effect whi('h it produces, as well as statements regarding tlie susceptibility 

 of various varieties to the disease. Rhode Island Greening, Fall Pippin, and Fameuse 

 seemed more affected than any other varieties, the Rhode Island Greening suffering 

 by far the most. 



While the author's investigations were confined to western New York, replies 

 which were received from a number of other localities indicate that the same trouble 

 existed in Michigan, Ohio, and Nebraska. The fungus, which grows commonly as 

 a saprophyte, was studied and attempts made to discover its means of being carried 

 over from season to season. So far the author has been unal)le to find the organism 

 on any portion of the apple tree except its fruit, but it has been reported as occurring 

 on maple trees in a way that suggests it may possibly be parasitic. This point will 

 be determined by subsequent investigations. The fungus has been found saprophytic 

 on the black knots of cherry and plum trees, as well as on firewood, and also on the 

 fruiting pedicels of grapes. 



Inoculation experiments are reported in which the rot was easily produced, and 

 preventive measures are suggested. Spraying the trees for the prevention of scab 

 would greatly reduce the liability of attacks of rot, and the apjales when gathered 

 should be carefully assorted and placed in cold storage where a dry, low temperature 

 would restrict the further development of the fungus. The effect of dipping apples 

 in solutions of copper sulphate and of formalin was tested in which different strengths 

 of solutions were used, and both the fungicides materially checked the growth of the 

 fungus. A soft rot caused by PeniciUium glaucum made its appearance upon the 

 treated apples, being more abundant upon those than upon the check. 



Apple troubles in 1902, F. II. Hall, F. C. Stewart, and H. J. Eustace {Xrw 

 York Stale Sta. Bal.^. ^20 and "227, popular ed.,pp.8, ph. 4) • — This is a pojiular 

 edition of previous publications (see above and E. S. R., 14, p. 774). 



Botanical investigations on fruit diseases {Illinoh Sta. Circ. 67, pp. 15-19, 

 fig. 1). — The botanical investigati(jns reported were mostly made upon the bitter-rot 

 fungus, preliminary accounts of which have already been given (E. S. R., 14, pjx 

 367, 581). Some other diseases were studied, among them the black rot, brown rot, 

 apple canker, etc. Investigations Were also conducted on the effect of spraying 

 fruit trees while in bloom, the results obtained showing that spraying during the 

 blossoming period prevents the setting of fruit in the case of those blossoms which 

 have but recently opened. The fungicide seems to kill the stigmas and prevents the 

 germination of the pollen. ^ 



Spraying for bitter rot {Illinoln Sta. Circ. 67, jyp. 10-15).- — A brief report is given 

 of the spraying which has been carried on by the station during 1901 and 1902 for 

 the control of the bitter rot of apples. In 1902 the value of different times and 

 numbers of applications was investigated, the work being carried on in 3 different 

 orchards. The fungicide used was Bordeaux mixture composed of 4 lbs. of lime, 4 

 lbs. of copper sulpliate, and 50 gals, of water. 



In one orchard the trees sprayed were Ren Davis and Huntsman, the latter being 

 extremely susceptible to bitter rot. A tabular statement shows that the Ben Davis 

 trees sprayed 5 times before the appearance of the rot and once afterwards contained 

 3.93 per cent infected fruit, while those sprayed once shortly before the appearance 

 of the disease and twice afterwards gave 16.84 per cent of fruit which was infected 



