156 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Canker of oleander, A. Tonelli (Biv. Agr. [Parma'\, 19 (1913), Nes. 2, pp. 

 18-21, fig. 1; 3, pp. 34-36, figs. 3; 4, pp. 51, 52, fig. 1). — A cankerous disease of 

 oleanders is described, which is apparently increasing in violence in parts of 

 Italy. The disease is said to attack the trunk, both older and younger branches, 

 flowers, leaves, and young fi-uits. From microscopical examinations, infection 

 experiments, etc., it is supposed to be of bacterial origin. The organisms are 

 said to attack first the cambium, killing and destroying the cells, resulting in 

 protuberances and distortions. It is then carried to sound parts mainly by 

 such animal parasites of oleander as Aspidiotus nerii, Lecanium, Tetrauychus, 

 etc. Aside from such agencies its spread seems to be slow and comparatively 

 slight. 



Means of control suggested are the use of Bordeaux mixture, cutting off 

 affected parts at safe distances below the points of infection and their destruc- 

 tion by fire, careful disinfection of all tools used on diseased plants, and 

 destruction of the animal parasites on the oleanders. 



The supposed European orig'in of the American chestnut canker, E. Pan- 

 TANELLi (Atti R. Accad. Lined, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 21 

 {1912), II, No. 12, pp. 869-875). — This is a comparison of the fungus associated 

 with chestnut blight disease in the United States, classified as Diaporthe para- 

 sitica, with the European form, Endothia radicalis, with which it has been 

 alleged to be identical. 



The conclusion is reached that D. parasitica is an Endothia, closely allied to 

 E. radicalis (which itself is said to be not a homogenous species), but not identi- 

 cal therewith, the American form being designated as E. parasitica. The latter 

 is considered to be not of European origin, being able to attack readily the 

 European chestnuts in the warm parts of Italy, while these are much more 

 resistant to E. radicalis. It is stated, however, that recent American experi- 

 ments have shown that E. ra4icalis is able to produce on the American chest- 

 nuts the same damage as is caused by E. parasitica. 



Studies on black canker of chestnut trees, L. Petri {Atti R. Accad. Lincei, 

 Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 21 {1912), 11^ Nos. 11, pp. 775-781; 12, 

 pp. 863-869, fig. 1). — As a result of studies on black canker of chestnut, it is 

 stated that in the early stages of this disease, at least two separate infections 

 may be distinguished. One is of the lower trunk and larger roots, ascending to 

 the upper trunk and larger branches, and always precedes the other, which 

 attacks first the smaller branches, later descending to the younger roots which 

 it seems to prefer. It is thought that the latter fungus, Coryneum modonium, 

 is not the primary infection but that it is preceded and possibly regulated by 

 Endothia radicalis, which is also said to favor the development of several 

 ordinary root rots. Varying the supply of calcium carbonate produced no 

 appreciable effect on the disease, which was not shown to have any general 

 relation to nutrition. C. modonium is said to lower rapidly the vitality of the 

 plant. Experimenal reproduction of these infections did not appear to be 

 successful. 



A leaf spot of Eucalyptus pulverulenta {Agr. News [Barbados]. 12 {1913), 

 No. 284, p. 94). — A young tree of this species of Eucalyptus in the Botanic Gar- 

 den of Montserrat is said to have exhibited irregular, discolored areas on the 

 leaves, which upon examination showed that they were filled with bacteria. 

 No work has been carried on, however, to confirm the supposition that they are 

 the cause of the disease. 



Drying of larch needles due to Cladosporium laricis and Meria laricis, 

 A. FiORi {Bvl. Soc. Bot. Itah, 1912, No. 8, pp. 307-312, fig. 1).—A discussion is 

 given of these two fungi and the symptoms of each as appearing on the foliage, 

 with suggestions as to preventive or remedial measures. These are more 



