54 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



been given, has been isolated and its cultural characteristics determined. The 

 disease seems to be most prevalent in crowded beds, where plants remain moist 

 and light is not dense. So far as iiis investigations have gone, no insect injury- 

 is apparently necessary for Infection. 



Pink disease, F. T. Brooks (Agr. Bui. Fed. Malay States, 2 {19U), No. 10, 

 pp. 238-2^2). — The author states that there has been a considerable develop- 

 ment of pink disease due to Cortickmi salmontcolor or C. javanicum on Malayan 

 rubber estates during the last 18 months. It is said to have been recorded also 

 on Para rubber in Java. Borneo, Sumatra, Ceylon, Burma, and Southern India, 

 and to attack a gi'eat variety of other hosts, among which are coffee, tea, 

 and cinchona, as well as native plants, from which the fungus is thought to 

 have passed to introduced species of cultivated plants. 



The disease develops most rapidly during periods of heavy rainfall. Its prog- 

 ress under different conditions and its forms are described. 



Spraying is difficult and largely ineffective with the larger trees. Cutting 

 out affected parts is recommended, with their destruction by fire or drenching 

 with copper sulphate. 



Peronospora parasitica on Arabis laevigata, H. W. Anderson {Phytopa- 

 thology, 4 {191/}), No. Jf, p. 338). — The author reports the occurrence of P. 

 parasitica on A. Uevigata, a host hitherto unreported for this species. 



Studies on biology of mallow rust, L. Hecke {Mitt. Land/ic. Lehrkanz. K. K. 

 Hochsch. Bodenkul. Wien, 2 {1914), No. 3, pp. 455-466). — This is mainly a brief 

 discussion of recent researches by several authors upon Puccinia malvacearum 

 as the cause of mallow rust. 



Black canker of chestnut and means for its control, E. G. Lissone {Ann. R. 

 Accad. Agr. Torino, 56 {1913), pp. 181-204, figs. 6; abs. in Riv. Patoh Teg., 6 

 {1913), No. 9, p. 276). — Discussing the appearance and spread in Italy of black 

 canker on chestnut, the author states that a measure of resistance is offered 

 thereto by the Japanese chestnut, but further study is required to give depend- 

 able results. 



Field studies on the Endothia canker of chestnut in New York State, 

 W. H. Rankin {Phytopathology, 4 {1914), No. 4, pp. 233-260, pi. 1, figs. 2).— 

 The investigations here reported relate largely to the pathogenicity and life 

 history of the fungus, and are given in considerable detail, the main results 

 having been previously reported (E. S. R., 31, p. 751). 



Notes on wood destroying fungi which grow on both coniferous and 

 deciduous trees, I, J. R. Weir {Phytopathology, 4 {1914), No. 4, pp. 271-276).— 

 The author reports many new and unusual hosts for certain basidiomycetous 

 fungi hitherto supposed to be strictly confinect to coniferous or deciduous trees. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY— ENTOMOLOGY. 



The rabbit pest, C. C. Georgeson {Alaska Stas. Rpt. 1913, pp. 15, 16). — 

 Rabbits have increased so rapidly in the interior of Alaska that they have 

 become a serious pest, whole fields of grain being eaten off as close as if cut 

 with a mower. Rabbit-proof fences about the fields appear to be the only 

 remedy and these are out of the question on account of the expense. A con- 

 tagious disease is said to have killed off a large number during 1913. 



Some observations on the, food habits of the short-tailed shrew (Blarina 

 brevicauda), H. L. Babcock {Science, ii. ser.. 40 {1914). No. 1032, pp. 526-530).— 

 The author reviews the literature relating to the food habits of the short-tailed 

 shrews of the genus Blarina and reports observations made of B. 'brevicauda 

 in Massachusetts. This species inhabits deciduous woodlands and fields where 

 it makes shallow tunnels that are often marked on the surface with little ridges. 



