454 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Report on cocoanut palm disease in Travancore, E. J. Btttler (Agr. Research 

 Inst. Pusa [Jiidia] Bui. '.). J'.IOS. j). 2.i : nuta] in Aijr. Jour. India, 3 iWOS), \o. 2, 

 pp. 177-J79). — ^A serious disease of cocoanut trees has been spreading in Travan- 

 core and materially reducing; the yield of nuts. The first indication of the 

 disease is the yellowing of the leaves, as though the trees did not get sufficient 

 water. A year or two after the first ai)pearance of the disease, all the leaves 

 turn yellow and dry up at the tips. When this happens the bundles of nuts 

 become affected. Some do not ripen proi)erly, but fall to the ground in an imma- 

 ture condition, and after a few years none at all are borne. After from .5 to 30 

 years the diseased palm dries u]> altogether. 



The cause of the disease appears to be a minute fungus, whicli attacks the 

 roots in the soil, causing them to rot. In addition to cocoanut iialms a number 

 of other species of palm ai-e subject to attacli. As the parasite which is the 

 probable cause of this disease enters the roots, it is out of reach of direct treat- 

 ment, but in order to eradicate the disease the author recommends the destruc- 

 tion of all diseased material, cultivating land where diseased cocoanuts have 

 been gi'own, the application of manure, generally stimulating the health of trees, 

 and the use of disease-resistant varieties. 



In conclusion the author briefly describes the leaf disease of cocoanut palms 

 due to Pestalozzia palmarum and the bud rot caused by Pythium pahnivorum. 



A disease of rubber trees in Puak, E. Smith (Agr. Bui. Straits and Fed. 

 Malay States, 7 (190S), Ao. 3, pp. 90-92, fig. 1). — The author describes a disease 

 of rubber trees that is apparently of fungus origin. Thus far he has been unable 

 to complete the identification of the fungus, which seems to cause a disintegra- 

 tion of the cells of the bark and in some cases the cambium layer of the trees. 

 In addition to the fungus a spore-bearing bacillus was present. The fungus 

 bears a strong resemblance to Helicobasidium, and the disease is to be given 

 further study. 



The effects of Oidium quercinum on different species of oak, H Bureau 

 (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 11,7 (1908), No. 13, pp. 571-57',).— In the 

 summer of 1907 oak trees in parts of France were badly attacked by O. querci- 

 num, in some cases the old forests taking on an unusual gray color. 



A study was made of the fungus causing the trouble, from which it was 

 determined to be the species mentioned above. It was further found that some 

 species of oak were less subject to attack than others, and in addition that the 

 beech was liable to be attacked by the fungus when grown in coppice. The 

 chestnut, which botanically is much more nearly related to the oak than the 

 beech, seems to be absolutely resistant to attacks of the parasite. 



The timber rot fungus (Merulius lachrymans), C. Mez {Der Hausschwamm 

 und die ilhrigen liolszerstorendcn Pilze der menschlichen Wnhnungen. Dresden, 

 1908, pp. VII-\-260, pi. 1, figs. 90). — A study is given of the timber dry-rot fungus 

 and a number of related species that attack construction timber in dwellings, 

 etc. The relation of these fungi to health is discussed, and suggestions are 

 given for preventing their occurrence. About 40 species belonging to the genera 

 Merulius, lolyporus, Lenzites, Dfedalea, Hypholoma, Armillaria, Hydnum, and 

 Corticium are described, all of which are not equally destructive. 



For the prevention of dry-rot injury, it is recommended that special attention 

 be paid to the general conditions about buildings in relation to moisture, choice 

 of construction materials, use of preservative agents, etc. 



The mold of maple sirup, F. D. Heald and Venus W. Pool (Nebraslia Sta. 

 Rpt. 1907, pp. 5J,-68, figs. 7). — During the past few years a mold has been 

 frequently observed growing on maple sirup exposed in various containers to 

 the air of the household, and even in the original container if a small amount 



