DISEASES OF PLANTS. 147 



when a large number of treated and untreated chestnut and white cedar poles 

 were set up in experimental lines in cooperation with the American Telegraph 

 and Telephone Company. The previous results of this test have been noted 

 (E. S, R., 25, p. 344), In the present report an outline is given of the experi- 

 mentJil treatments, together with the results secured after a test of 8 years. 



As a result of this experiment it appears that the average life of the untreated 

 seasoned and gi*een southern white cedar poles in this line will not exceed 

 7 to 8 years. Seasoned poles set untreated showed a larger percentage of re- 

 movals than the green poles. This is attributed to the length of time the sea- 

 soned poles were held before they were set. The chestnut poles were found to 

 be in a much better condition than the cedar. Some 63 per cent of the untreated 

 poles were still only slightly decayed, while of the treated poles, excluding tar 

 coating, 91 per cent were either sound or only slightly decayed. Good results 

 were obtained with all preservatives, except tar. Coal-tar products gave better 

 results than wood-tar products. The results obtained with the carbolineums 

 were only slightly better than with coal-tar creosote. The southern white cedar 

 poles brush-treated with good preservatives showed less decay than untreated 

 chestnut poles but were decayed more than the treated chestnut poles. Fewer 

 removals and fewer badly decayed poles were found in the portions of the line 

 running through swamps and wet locations than in dryer situations. The worst 

 conditions were found in cultivated fields and dry sandy situations. 



The author concludes that, although brush treatments with a good preservative 

 gave an increased life to poles sufficient to pay well for the cost of treatment, 

 to be really effective the application should be sufficient to treat all the sapwood 

 and in the case of chestnut probably some of the heartwood. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



An outline of some of the topics covered by the department of vegetable 

 physiology and pathology since its inception, G. E. Stone {Massachusetts 

 Sta. Rpt. 1912, pt. 1, pp. 97-101). — A bibliography of the more important papers 

 published by the department since 1888 is given. 



Diseases more or less common during the year, G. E. Stone (Massachusetts 

 Sta. Rpt. 1912, lit. 1, pp. 38-40).— Brief notes are given on winterkilling of 

 twigs and roots of apple trees and the occurrence of scab (Fiisicladimn den- 

 dnticum), apple fruit rots, bitter rot (Glocosponum fnictigenum) , and of white 

 pine blister rust on currants. A large number of other diseases due to para- 

 sitic fungi are listed. In addition notes are given on some forest and shade 

 tree troubles, among them a mottling of chestnut leaves, the killing back of 

 twigs of elm, maple, ash, butternut, Norway spruce, and sycamore, root dis- 

 eases of elm, maple, and oak, as well as winter injury to other species. It is 

 stated that the winter of 1912 was one of the worst on record for the depth 

 of freezing and that vegetation in general was in poor condition owing to 

 drought. 



Work of the botanical research laboratory and of the laboratory for plant 

 diseases at Klosterneuburg, L. Linsbauer, J. K. Schechner, and F. Zweigelt 

 {Programm u. JaJtresber. K. K. Hoh. Lehranst. Wein u. Ohsfbau Klostcnieuhurg, 

 1911-12, pp. 14I-I66, figs. 6; Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bid. Agr. Intel, 

 and Plant Diseases, 4 (1913), No. 7, pp. III4, 1115).— The first article noted 

 herein is the regular report regarding observations made on various diseases 

 of orchard and small fruits, grapes, vegetables, etc., and of studies on some 

 physiological problems, a list of addresses and publications being appended. 

 The second article noted is a short and more specific account, by Linsbauer. of 

 some physiological investigations bearing upon the development and some 



