62 EXPERIMENT STATION KECORD. 



from the Caucasus. Examinations were made of the perithecia, in wliioh the author 

 claims to have found the fungus (ittigitardia rrniformii^. The characteristics of the 

 fungus are described, and it is affirmed that this fungus is undou])te<yy that which 

 causes the Mack rut of grajies in tiie Caucasus region. 



Some diseases of New England conifers, H. von Schkenk ( U. S. Dept. Ar/r., 

 Division iif VegeUthk Physiology and Pathology Bid. 25, pp. 56, jih. 15, fign. 3). — A pre- 

 liminary account is given of studies made by the author in the forest region of the 

 Northeastern United States, particular attention being jiaid to the coniferous trees. 

 The extent of injury, evidences of decay, and relation of insect attacks to diseases are 

 discussed. The vegetative conditions of the New England forests are described and 

 notes given on the occurrence and habits of the prevailing coniferous trees, which 

 are red and white spruce, balsam fir, hemlock, arbor vitfe, white pine, and tamarack. 

 The fungi descril)ed as attacking these trees mostly belong to the group Polyporei. 

 The species described are Polyponi.'i .scJi tvel iiUzl I , P. pliilcola, P. .vUpli ureas, P. .'tahacidn.^, 

 and Ti-ainctes pini ablt'tls. The occurrence of these different fungi, the structure of 

 diseased wood, characters of the fruiting organs, the effect of the fungus on the tree, 

 and methods of combating are described in greater or less detail. In addition to 

 the foregoing species, Polyporas vaporarius, P. armosn.'i, and Agarlcus meUen.'i are 

 briefly noted as causing disease upon the same species. 



The author finds the forest conditions in New England very favorable to the growth 

 and development of timber-destroying fungi. Trees are frequently cut high up 

 on the stump and low in the top, leaving a great portion of the tree to the attacks 

 of the fungi. From these dead trunks and limbs the spores are spread to standing 

 trees which might otherwise remain sound. Attention should l)e given to the cut- 

 ting of trees when they have become matured, as they are more liable to attacks of 

 fungi after this period has l)een reached. In this way the depreciation due to attacks 

 of fungi and insects may l)e greatly lessened. 



A disease of Taxodium distichum, etc. , known as peckiness, also a similar 

 disease of Libocedrus decurrens know^n as pin rot, H. von Schkenk {Missouri 

 Hot. (lard. Rpt. 1900, pp. 23-77, ph. >!, Jii/. 1). — The disease of cypress known as 

 "pecky" or " peggy " is a species of decay to which it is very liable. When a dis- 

 eased cypress tree is cut down the heart wooil frequently apjiears as though a large 

 number of holes had been bored through it. These holes vary in size from i to | 

 in., and are found in the heart wood only. Young trees of Taxodium varying in age 

 from 50 to 125 years are almost always free from defect, only the older ones being 

 attacked. The holes in the wood extend longitudinally up and down the trunk, 

 parallel to the wood fibers, never transversely. They are separated from one 

 another by cells of apparently sound wood. The holes vary in length from J to 6 

 in. or longer, most frequently from 4 to 5 in. long. The cavities are filled with a 

 yellow-brown powder, which readily crumbles in the fingers. A fluffy whit6 

 mycelium, covered with drops of liquid resembling dew, is sometimes present. 



The structure of the diseased wood is described at considerable length. In the 

 cells immediately surrounding the rotten areas certain parts of the holes are colored 

 dark l)rown. This is thought to be due to the formation of humus compounds. 

 The wood between the rotted areas is described and data given relative to the com- 

 parative strength of sound and pecky heart wood. 



The progress of the disease is described. The constant presence of the colorless 

 mycelium in the diseased trees makes it seem probable that it is the vegetable part 

 of a fungus which causes the decay. The author states that certain ferments are 

 associated with this disease, and he arrives at the conclusion that humus compounds 

 found in the wood surrounding the holes are probably one of the effective means in 

 preventing the unlimited spread and destructive action of the disease. 



A somewhat similar disease of Libocedrus decurrens is described. The author sum- 

 marizes his investigations as follows: 



