1917] DISEASES OF PLANTS. 349 



Timber storage conditions in the Eastern and Southern States with refer- 

 ence to decay problems, C. J. Humphkey (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 510 (1917), 

 pp. 42, pis. 10, figs. 41). — This bulletin embraces the results of a survey of 

 timber storage conditions in the Eastern and Southern States, conducted with 

 the view of securing data for a study of the effective control of decay in build- 

 ing timber. The subject matter is presented under the general headings of 

 cause of decay in timber, handling timber at sawmills, location of mills and 

 its relation to decay, quality of stock with reference to decay, condition of 

 storage sheds at mills, condition of storage yards at mills, handling timber at 

 retail yards, fungi which rot stored lumber, wood preservatives in the lumber- 

 yard, and branding structural timber. A number of suggestions are given rela- 

 tive to the improvement of lumber storage conditions by modifying the present 

 insanitary practices. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Report of the mycologist, R. H. Bunting {Govt. Gold Coast, Rpt. Agr. 

 Dept., 1915, pp. 21-25).— It appears that the yield of the cacao trees on the old 

 established farms is decreasing, and that this is due largely to the increase of 

 cacao diseases. Pod rot (Phytophthora faberi, frequently associated with 

 Diplodia cacaoicola) is considered as the most widespread and destructive of 

 these diseases. A fungus resembling Colletotrichum cradwickii may be re- 

 sponsible for enormous loss from the withering of the young pods. Of some- 

 what less importance are the thread blights, Marasmius scandens and M. 

 equicrinis. Important root diseases of cacao are due to Polyporus Ugnosus 

 {Fomes seinitostus) , Hymenochwte noxia, and a species of Rosellinia. Numer- 

 ous cases of die-back appear to be related only secondarily to fungi. 



The most serious diseases of Hevea are due to root parasites, P. Ugnosus, 

 If. noxia, SphcBrostilbe repens, and a Rosellinia killing rubber trees at various 

 points. 



Other diseases noted, or suspected, are an undetermined mildew of Coffea 

 liberica; brown rot (H. noxia) of C. stenophylla ; white thread (M. scandens) 

 on Coffea sp., soursop, and cola; Cercospora personata on peanut; bleeding dis- 

 ease (probably Thielaviopsis ethaceticus) of coconut; S. repens on jak fruit; 

 P. lignos7fs on camphor, cassava, Combretum sp., and Irvingia sp. ; Corticium 

 sp. on Ficus elastica; and coffee-leaf disease {Hemileia vastatrix) on Stroph- 

 anthus hispidus. 



Parasitic diseases of cultivated plants, R. Renacco (An. Soc. Cient. Argen- 

 tina, 81 (1916), No. 1-2, pp. 62-70). — A list is given, with a systematic arrange- 

 ment according to relationships, of about 35 fungi parasitic on economic plants 

 as observed, mostly during the latter part of 1914, in a portion of the Province 

 of Buenos Aires. 



Black mold of onions, W. Van Pelt (Mo. Bui. Ohio Sta., 2 (1917), No. 5, 

 pp. 152-156, fig. 1). — A popular account is given of a new fungus disease which 

 is said to cause serious damage in storage houses. The cause of the trouble is 

 Aspergillus niger, the presence of which is indicated by the occurrence of small 

 circular spots scattered over the onion, generally about the upper half. As the 

 areas develop, there is formed a large diseased mass which often involves the 

 greater part of the onion. The outer layers of the bulb become wrinkled, dry, 

 and practically worthless. This condition, however, is rarely found except in 

 storage. As a rule white varieties are most subject to infection, although the 

 disease has been found on red ones as well. 



Examination of samples of onion seed showed the presence of spores, and ex- 

 periments in applying formalin to the affected seed proved that this fungicide 



