148 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



every case the treatment had beneficial effect in reducin>r <»i- totally i)n)hil)iting the 

 action of the fungns. 



On the diseases of muslirooins and their prevention, (i. JJklackuix {Bui. 

 Mill. A<jr. {Frahcel, 19 {1900), Nu. 5, pj). 889-899). — A report is given on studies 

 inade by the author in the vicinity of Paris of the diseases to which mushrooms are 

 subject. The most serious one is due to a fungus Mycogone perniciosa. Its method 

 of attack is described and experiments reported in which various possible means for 

 prevention has been investigated. Sulphate of copper, sulphate of iron, boric acid, 

 and liinewater were without effect, while thymol and lysol were found to be valua- 

 ble in preventing the disease. Lysol, on account of its ready solu))ility in cold 

 water, is to be preferred. A number of insects which are injurious to nuishrooms in 

 the caves are briefly described. Notes are also given on a number of other pests 

 which are more or less troublesome in mushroom growing. One of the most serious 

 troubles in mushroom growing is to prevent the entrance of other species of fungi 

 which are of little or no value, such as Clitocyhe candicans and Pleurottis mutilu.s. 

 Attacks of Monilia Jimicola are also mentioned, as well as that of the parasite, 

 Myceliophtora lutea. For the prevention of these trou1>les the author recommends the 

 thorough sterilization of tlie mushroom beds and sjiraying around them with some 

 good fungicide, after which the spawn is planteil. 



A fruit disease survey of -western New York in 1900, F. C. Stewart, F. M. 

 Rolfs, and F. H. Hai.l {Xeir York Stat>' ,Sta. Bui. 191, j>j>._ 291-331, pis. .^).— The 

 results of a survey of the western part of the State of New York, emitracing 18 coun- 

 ties, are given. The data were obtained in the same manner as those secured for 

 the survey of the Hudson River Valley the previous year. Circulars of inquiry and^ 

 personal visits were made to different parts of the State, and the amount of damage 

 done by the more common fruit diseases was estimated. Among the apple diseases 

 observed were scab, leaf spot, fruit spot or Baldwin spot, fire blight, canker, crown 

 gall, "hairy root," powdery mildew, and rust. The canker observed is attributed 

 to 3 different organisms, and the authors believe that when more fully vniderstood 

 the ap})le canker will l)e found to be caused l)y at least three distinct organisms, 

 which are strikingly similar in their grosser characters, and as yet have not been 

 sufficiently differentiated to distinguish them without microscopical examination. 

 Of these, the canker caused by Sphirrojjsis malorum is the most troublesome, and a 

 disease hitherto unreported, caused by a sjjecies of Cytospora, is the least injurious. 

 Investigations were made to determine the possible identity of Splueropsis with 

 Macropltorna malorum. These fungi differ principally in the character of their spores, 

 but the authors believe that they are entirely distinct. The crown gall was found 

 to be confined chiefly to young trees in the nur.sery, and it is recommended that all 

 trees showing any trace of the disease be rejected. The "hairy root" disease was 

 observed while examining nursery stock for crown gall. The affected trees have 

 few if any large branch roots, the root system consisting of a multitude of small root- 

 lets which spring from the somewhat thickened main root, giving it a bushy or hairy 

 appearance. This disease has been known for 40 or 50 years among nurserymen, 

 but is seldom sufficiently abundant to cau.'^e appreciable loss. Affected seedlings are 

 usually rejected. No cause is known for this troul>le. 



Among apricot diseases noted are collar rot, injury of trunks and liranches, brown 

 spot, and fruit rot. The collar rot is one of the most destructive of ai)ricot diseases. 

 .The affected trees show dead bark for a distance of 3 or 4 in. above the union or 

 collar. On recently destroyed trees the injury never extends below the union. As 

 a rule, affected trees wilt rather suddenly during the summer, after having put out 

 their leaves in an apparently normal manner. This disease is not confined to any 

 particular part of the orchard- or to any locality, and so far no satisfactory cause lias 

 been ot)served for it. 



