252 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Note on the chestnut fungus, W. T. Davis (Proc. Staten Isl. Assoc. Arts 

 and Scl, 2 (1908-9), No. 3, pp. 128, 129).— In discussing the dissemination of 

 the chestnut fungus (Diaporthe parasitica), attention is called to the presence 

 on a diseased tree of slender, tbread-like gelatinous masses of spores 0.25 of an 

 inch in length which hang from the bark near the ground, and are usually not 

 so commonly noticed as the simple pustules on the bark. 



The tree was also attacked by a wood-boring beetle (Neoclytus erythroceph- 

 alus), which may aid in distributing the spores from tree to tree. 



Note on the Oidium of the Japanese euonymus, E. Foex (Bui. Trimest. 

 Soc. Mycol. France, 26 {1910), No. 3, pp. 322-326, pi. i).— The author discusses 

 the chai'acteristics of the mycelium and the chemical nature and function of 

 certain thickenings found on the mycelium of this Oidium. These mycelial 

 incrassations gave some of the reactions for callose, and also for cellulose, but 

 seemed to be neither. 



Sun scorch of the pine, G. B. Stone {Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 2, 

 pp. 65-69). — The author claims that a species of pine blight chai'acterized by a 

 burning of the needles so severe in some cases as to cause the death of the 

 trees, is due to sun scorch and not to any fungus or bacterial agency. 



This burning of the pine foliage is most severe in hot, windy weather, and is 

 associated with a very dry condition of the soil. An examination of the root 

 system showed that in some cases about 90 per cent of the small feeding roots 

 and mycorrhiza had collapsed, thus producing the scorching or blighting of the 

 foliage. Later, under favorable conditions of moisture, the affected trees may 

 put forth a new growth of foliage and finally fully recover. 



Root infection of Tranietes pini, A. Hafiz {Indian Forester, 36 {1910), 

 No. 10, pp. 559-562, j)ls. 2). — Attention is called to the infection by this fungus 

 of healthy roots of the blue pine {Pinus excelsa), when by contact they had 

 become fused with the diseased roots of pine trees dying with ring scale 

 {T. pini). 



On examination, several cases of such fusion showed not only the hyphfe of 

 the fungus present in the tissues of the fused portion of the roots of healthy 

 trees, but also instances in which the root system of an apparently healthy tree 

 was thus diseased, while the trunk and limbs were still free from hyphse. 



The author claims, therefore, that without doubt infection by T. pint may 

 occur underground when the roots of diseased trees come into contact with 

 healthy ones. 



The diseases of Azalea indica, J. Hartmann {Gartemcelt, IJf {1910), No. 19, 

 pp. 217-220, figs. J/). — The author discusses (1) two inorganic diseases of this 

 ornamental plant, a stem rot probably due to frost, and injuries caused by the 

 use of too much lime; (2) insect pests, plant lice {Alcurodes vaporiariorum) , 

 and a leaf roller {Acalla schalleriana) ; and (3) fungus diseases, leaf spot 

 {Septoria azalew). and a gall-forming Exobasidium which is very injurious to 

 A. indica, but as yet is not found on the native azaleas. The destruction of the 

 diseased limbs and spraying with a 1* per cent solution of copper sulphate are 

 recommended as remedies for this last-named disease. 



A new gall-forming fungus on Zizyphus from the Transvaal, P. Magnus 

 {Ber. Dcut. Bat. Gesell., 28 {1910), No. 7, pp. 377-380, pi. 1).—A fungus parasite 

 which forms ovoid to spheroid galls from 3 to 10 mm. in diameter on the petioles 

 and stems of Zizyphus sp. is described as the type of a new genus and species, 

 Hyalodema evansii. 



Spraying experiments with calcium benzoate, G. E. Stone {Massachusetts 

 Sta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 2, pp. 55, 58). — Negative results are reported in controlling 

 plum rot (Monilia) with a 2:50 solution of calcium benzoate sprayed on the 

 trees when laden with fruit. 



