1060 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A root mold of coffee, A. Zimmermann {Teysmdunia, 12 {1901), No. 6, pp. 305-309, 

 Jigs. 3). — A root disease of coffee that had lately killed a number of trees was studied 

 and found to be caused by a fungus which though not in fruit was very characteristic 

 in its habit. The fungus, which the author calls the black root mold of Java coffee, 

 penetrates the cells of the inner bark and of the medullary rays, and ramifies into 

 the cells near the medullary rays. The hyphpe are black when old, but the young 

 tips are almost colorless and are covered with granules of lime. The fungus uses up 

 the starch in the cells and eventually causes the leaves to turn yellow and fall. The 

 death of the tree follows in time. — h. m. pieters. 



The "blorok" disease of Coffea arabica, A. Zimmermann {Tf'ijmndnmia, 12 

 {1901), X(i. 7-S, ]>!>. 41'>-429, fiij.i. 4 )■ — A disease of the leaves of the coffee tree known 

 l)y the name of blorok disease has attracted much attention. The diseased leaves are 

 characterized by a pale spotting or rather clouded effect, the upper surface of the dis- 

 eased area losing the normal green color. In this area the cells of the epidermis are 

 shrunken and yellow, and the neighboring cells are also yellowed. A similar condi- 

 tion prevails on the lower surface. The diseased trees do not die at once, but are 

 sickly for a time and eventually succumb. No parasites were found in the diseased 

 cells, and the cause of the trouble has not yet been determined. It is thought that 

 bacteria may he responsible for the disease. — h. m. pieters. 



Parasites of vanilla, E. BoRSACiE( AVr. Agr. Eennion, 7 {1901), Xo.4,pp- 142-149). — 

 Notes on attacks of various insects and fungi upon vanilla. The principal injury 

 seems due to attacks of Otlospora rmnllir. The different stages of the life history of 

 the fungus and the effect produced upon the host plant are described. One striking 

 effect is shown in the ash analysis of the stems and leaves, in which the potash and 

 phosphoric acid are greatly reduced and the lime increased in the diseased plants. 



Growing' China asters, R. E. Smith {3fa.s.'<achv.'<eUK >Sta. Bui. 79, pp. 26, figs. 19). — 

 After briefly describing the methods of cultivation of asters, the author considers in 

 detail some of the diseases and injuries to which the garden asters are subject. One 

 of the most common antl destructive diseases is that known as wilt or stem rot. This 

 first appears soon after the plants are set out in the lied, and is generally prevalent 

 throughout the season. If affected i)lants he examined they will be found to be 

 badly rott(>d just at the surface of the ground, only the hard inner woody portions 

 remaining. This, however, is the linal stage of the disease, and it may be noticed 

 on careful examination earlier in the season when the normal color of the jilants 

 becomes affected, and usually more on one side than on the other. The disease is 

 due to a species of Fusarium, as yet not definitely determined, and it appears that 

 it is contracted in the seed bed as a result of crowding and too nuich moisture. 

 There ajipears to be no evi<lence tliat it is contracted after the plants are set in the 

 field. To avoid it the seedlings must be grown in favorable conditions, those grown 

 out of doors or in cold frames being preferred to greenhouse-grown ])lants. Condi- 

 tions somewhat similar to the wilt or stem rot are caused })y attacks of white grub 

 and root lice. In the case of attacks of the whit« grub the plant wilts at once, and 

 by pulling it up the nature of the trouble may be discovered. The wilting and 

 stuntetl growth due to root lice is less easily distinguished. The affected plants 

 fail to grow, have a wilted, tmhealthy appearance, and often remain in the bed all 

 summer without apparently increasing in size. If pulled up, the roots will be found 

 covered with masses of a l)luish-colored root louse in all stages of development. 

 As the life history of this pest does not seem to be fully understood, the reconnnen- 

 dation is made that new and uninfested soil should be usetl m both seed and perma- 

 nent beds as a preventive measure. 



A secontl serious disease is that known as the yellow disease or Idight. It is a 

 disease of very obscure origin, which produces a bright yellow spindling growth of 

 plants. The affected parts do not die or wilt, but do not develoj) properly. The 

 effects produced by this disease are sununarized. The roots a])pear to be well 



