DISEASES OF PLANTS. 757 



somewhat less tliaii for those not treated with the fungicide. The effect of niulchinjj; 

 on peas was studied, hut no marked difference was noted hetween plants upon 

 mulched and unmulched land, and no disease appeared. The effect of mulching 

 and spraying with Bordeaux mixture was tested on tomatoes. The presence of 

 disease was quite limited and the experiments are of rather (loul)tful value. 



Experiments with cucumbers sj)rayed 8 times with Bordeaux mixture were with- 

 out practical results, since the vines were nearly destroyed by insects liefore the 

 apiH'arance of any disease. Experiments with lettuce are reported, in which the 

 bacterial blight was present to a small extent but the Septoria was quite abundant, 

 particularly ui)on the variety Wonderful. The plants were not ecjually infested upon 

 all parts of the plat, and this uneven distribution is attributed to the removal of the 

 soil from some spots for experiments elsewhere. This seems to indicate a marked 

 retentive power of the soil in holding the germs of the lettuce leaf spot. Plats of 

 eggplant were sprayed 8 times with Bordeaux mixture, but the leaf l)light appeared 

 on different plats, although the sprayed were less infested than those untreated. 

 The superior appearance of the plants is reputed to be due, however, to the compar- 

 ative freedom from beetles occasioned by the applicati(jn of the Bordeaux mixture. 

 In 'continuation of previous seasons' work, the author again tested a number of 

 varieties of salad plants, among them Swiss chard, New Zealand spinach, and Mala- 

 bar spinach. The Swiss chard was sprayed 9 times with Bordeaux mixture, which 

 rendered the plants comparatively free from leaf spot. The effect of new and old 

 land upon crop production showed that, as a whole, the rotation of crops is the best 

 method of keeping plants in good health. A green winter cover seemed to be 

 without appreciable effect upon the health of plants. Winter and spring nmlching, 

 except in the case of potatoes, did not give any appreciable advantage either in yield 

 or in diminishing disease. 



The author reviews experiments in spraying. During the past season but one 

 fungicide, Bordeaux mixture, was employed. On account of the limited occurrence 

 of many of the more troublesome diseases, striking results were not obtained, but 

 where important differences were secured they were generally in favor of the plants 

 which had been given applications of the fungicide. 



Experiments were conducted with hemp to ascertain the influence of environ- 

 ment upon the sex of the plant. This plant, as is well known, is di(t>cious and the 

 greatest difference was noted in plants grown upon very rich soil. Here there were 

 more than twice as many pistillate as staminate plants. The effect of early, 

 medium, and late production of seed was tested and there was found to be a decided 

 increase in the number of pistillate plants of the later over the earlier gathered 

 seed. 



Experiment" are also reported with buckwheat, in whicli the effect of the soil on 

 the production of the long and short styled flowers was investigated. There seen)ed 

 to be no relationship between the fertility of the soil and the dimorphic forms of the 

 flowers. 



Experiments with ornamental j)lants are briefly rejxjrtcd, but none of these were 

 sprayed during the jjreseiit t-cason except to destroy insects. 



Notes are given on the white mold of radish, in which the life history of the fun- 

 gus is described. Associated with it is freiiuently anotlicr fungus, Peronon/iora jxmi- 

 Kiticu. The two can he readily distinguished by the appearance of their summer 

 spores. An account is given of an attack of grape mildew upon grajjes in an arbor 

 at the station. The disease first made its appearance on the fruit clusters early in 

 June, but soon after was noticed u[)on the foliage and stems. Two species of grapes 

 were grown upon the arbor and the disease is reported tf) have been most severe in 

 its attack upon the species which possessed woolly leaves, the smooth-leaved variety 

 being fully 2 weeks later in showing any trace of disease. 



