DISEASES OF PLANTS. 753 



Similar spotting: is believed to occur on leaves and fruits, due to the same 

 cause. It is suggested that such s]iots may serve as points of entry of para- 

 sitic fungi, particularly those which are stimulated to growth by an acid con- 

 dition of the cell sap. 



Diseases of the violet, D. Reddick (Trans. Mass. Hort. Soc, 1913, pt. 1, pp. 

 85-102, pis. 2). — In connection with a brief discussion of the violet and its 

 culture, the author summarizes the results of studies on root rot ascribed to 

 Thielavia hasicola; crown rot, to Sclerotinia lihcrtiana; leaf spot diseases, to 

 Alternaria rioJcc and PJujUosticta violce; and gray mold of the leaves, to 

 Botnjtis vulgaris. A bibliography is appended. 



The chestnut bark disease, E. M. Stoddard and A. E. Moss (Connecticut 

 State Sta. Bui. 178, pp. 19, pi. 1, figs. 8). — A description is given of the chestnut 

 disease caused by the fungus Endothia gyrosa parasitica (E. S. R., 29, p. 552). 



Thus far methods of control have proved only partially successful and are 

 said to be not practicable for use in woodland. The spread of the disease may 

 be checked, where individual specimens are infected, by cutting the trees, piling 

 the bark and trash about the stumps, and burning them. 



The authors claim that the presence of the disease in a stand of timber is in 

 itself not sufBcient reason for cutting, and that unless the trees are mature and 

 the market condition is good it is better to give the uninfected trees a chance to 

 grow as much as possible, especially where the blight has only just become 

 apparent. 



The discovery of the chestnut bark disease in China, D. Fairchild 

 (Science, n. ser., 38 (1913), No. 974, pp. 297-299).— The author reports having 

 received from F. N. Meyer, agricultural explorer, U. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture, diseased bark and branches of chestnut trees which weie turned over to 

 the Office of Forest Pathology for identification (see below). 



The chestnut blight parasite from China, C. L. Sheab and N. E. Stevens 

 (Science, n. ser., 38 (1913), No. 57//, pp. 295-297). — A description is given of 

 cultures of the fungus Endothia parasitica made from material received from 

 China. 



The Chinese organism was found to be practically identical with the Ameri- 

 can in all its morphological and physiological characters and in the produc- 

 tion of the typical chestnut blight and the pycnidial fructifications of the fungus. 

 The evidence is thought to be sufficiently complete to allow the conclusion that 

 E. parasitica occurs in China under conditions that would indicate that it is 

 indigenous there. 



Becent work on the chestnut blight, K. E. Rocket (North. Nut Growers 

 Assoc. Proc, 3 (1912), pp. 37-4-4)- — In this paper the author gives an account 

 of the history of the chestnut blight and describes the work of the Pennsylvania 

 Commission in combating it. 



Report of the Pennsylvania Chestnut Tree Blight Commission July 1 to 

 December 1, 1912, W. Sargent et al. (Rpt. Perm. Chestnut Tree Bliglit Com., 

 1912, July-Dec, pp. 67, pis. 56). — A report is given of the organization of the 

 Pennsylvania Chestnut Blight Commission, with a description of the field op- 

 erations, pathological work, insect investigations, chemical investigations, tree 

 medication, treatment of individual trees, geographic work, utilization of dis- 

 eased trees, and demonstration work which it has undertaken. 



Pathological investigations, F. D. Heald and P. J. Anderson (Rpt. Perm. 

 Chestnut Tree Blight Com,., 1912, July-Dec, pp. JfO-45, pis. 15). — The investi-. 

 gations carried on by the pathologists of the commission have included a study 

 and identification of specimens, the germination of spores, relation of insects 

 to the chestnut blight disease, and nursei-y stock and dissemination. 



