150 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



Fungus diseases of limes, J. B. Roreb (Proc. Agr. Soc. Trinidad and Tobago, 

 15 {1915), No. 1, pp. IJf, 15). — This gives a brief discussion of damping-off in 

 lime seedlings, as preventable by the employment on the seed bed of heat 

 (212° F.) for 20 minutes, or of formaldehyde (4 per cent under confinement 

 for 24 hours), or utilization of subsoil which is sterile, thoroughly disinfected 

 tools, etc. Collar rot and root rot of full-grown lime trees are not very common, 

 but where these diseases appear they are controlled by cutting out the affected 

 tissue. 



A preliminary investigation as to the cause of rotting of oranges from 

 Brazil, W. Rushton {Ann. Appl. BioL, 1 (1915), No. S-Jf. pp. 3G5-369, fig. 1).— 

 Tests with oranges variously treated before shipment from Brazil to England 

 seemed to show that the best protection is given by wrapping the fruit in thin 

 paper and packing in dry sawdust, also that the worst results follow exposure 

 to moisture and heat. The oranges were attacked by PenicUJium italiciim antl 

 some member of the Mucorinese. The changes occurring are described. 



Discoloration of tissue precedes the advance of the Penicillium in the orange 

 and in orange gelatin cultures. The fungus was not observed to pierce the 

 cuticle, but moisture on the surface probably nuiltii)lied the chances of attack 

 through injured cuticle. 



Growth of the fungus on cut surfaces was checked by the use of 2 per cent 

 copper sulphate or 5 per cent formalin, but another form of rot appeared after 

 the formalin treatment. 



A remedy for the coconut bud rot, J. R. Johnson (Modern Cuba, 3 (1915), 

 No. 3, pp. 76-80). — The author calls attention ti) the measures that have been 

 taken in Jamaica and Trinidad for the control of the coconut bud rot, and urges 

 that similar methods be adopted in Cuba to prevent the destruction of coconuts 

 in that island. 



Observations on Rhizina inflata, J. R. Weie (U. S. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. 

 Research, 4 (1915), No. 1, pp. 93-96, pi. J).— The author states that this fungus 

 is usually found as a saprophyte on burned forest soil, but an attempt has been 

 made to demonstrate its parasitism on certain seedlings. 



In 1912 a number of seedlings of pine, hemlock, and larch were observed to 

 be dying, and upon being pulled up the roots were found closely matted to- 

 gether by a white mycelium. Later, near the border of the infected areas and 

 at the base of the stems of the dead seedlings, fruiting bodies of R. inflata 

 were observed. An attempt was made to produce the disease by inoculating 

 pine seedlings with spores of the fungus, and, while the experiments were not 

 r)erformed under controlled conditions, the results indicate that R. inflata 

 occurs as a parasite in the Northwest. 



A new disease of plantation rubber in Malaya, F. T. Beooks (Agr. Bui. 

 Fed. Malay States, 3 (1914), No. 3, pp. 105-107).— The author reports having 

 had under observation for several mouths a hitherto unrecorded rubber disease 

 in Malaya. 



The part of the tree principally affected is the collar, and in this region the 

 bark on one side of the tree dies and the wood beneath it becomes brown. 

 Examination showed the presence of mycelium, and investigations indicated 

 that the fungus is different from the fungi usually reported on rubber trees. 



As a result of study the author has come to the conclusion that it is similar 

 to, if not identical with, V.stulina zonata. Pure cultures of the fungus have 

 been made and successfully used in inoculating rubber trees, apparently dem- 

 onstrating that it is the cause of the trouble in question. 



It is recommended that all diseased trees be isolated by trenches and cut 

 down and destroyed as soon as they cease to yield latex in paying quantities. 



