158 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Pecan scab, W. A. Orton {Abs. in Science, n. ser., 21 (1905), No. 535, p. 503).— A 

 description is given of a disease of considerable economic importance caused by 

 attacks of Fuskladium effumm on the leaves, twigs, and nuts of cultivated pecans in 

 the Southern States. 



The fungus occurs on either side of the leaves and on the petioles, producing dead 

 sp-.ts or distortions and defoliation. Sometimes the new growth of the twigs is 

 killed, but the greatest injury is to the nuts. The microscopic and cultural charac- 

 ters i >f the fungus are described, showing it to be identical with F. carygenum. Favor- 

 aide results from spraying experiments are reported. 



Pests of ornamental shrubbery, M. C. Cooke (Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc. [London], 

 29 (1904), No. 1-3, }>i>. 1-25, pis. 3). — Annotated notes are given on the occurrence of 

 parasitic fungi on a number of ornamental shrubs. The fungi and their effect on the 

 hosts are briefly described, and notes given on their distribution, habits, etc. 



The bud rot of the cocoanut palm in the West Indies, E. F. Smith (Abs. in 

 Science, n. ser., 21 1 1905) , No. 535, j>i>. 500-502).— Attention is called to a serious dis- 

 ease of cocoanut palms, previous notes of which have been given (E. S. R., 14, pp. 

 671, 882). 



The disease is said to have made decided advances since reported in 1901, and in 

 many regions the planters are becoming discouraged, since trees of all ages and on 

 all sorts of soils are being destroyed. In all the cases examined the roots and stem 

 seemed to be sound. The general symptoms of the disease are the yellowing and 

 falling of the outer leaves, the shedding of the nuts, followed in several months by 

 the death of the whole crown. 



An examination showed that the disease was located in the crown, where the 

 organism produces an ill-smelling soft rot. The rot is invisible until the outer leaf 

 sheaths are removed, when the entire bud will be found affected. The disease stops 

 very promptly after having destroyed the undeveloped tissues of the bud, and does 

 not seem to be able to attack the harder tissues of the palm stem. 



The bacteria are believed to have found entrance through wounds of some kind, 

 and their distribution is undoubtedly favored by flies and other insects. All diseased 

 trees, it is said, should be cut down, and the terminal buds destroyed or treated with 

 some strong fungicide. 



Some diseases of loblolly pine timber, 11. von Schrenk (Abs. in Science, n. ser., 

 21 {J905), No. 535, )>. 502). — The author states that the living tree of the loblolly 

 pine is subject to the attacks of several fungi, notably Trametes pini and Polyporvs 

 schweinitzii. After the timber is cut it is said to be very susceptible to fungus attacks, 

 and it is probably the least resistant of all American woods. 



A number of fungi are known to grow on the timber, living on the starch or exud- 

 ing resins, but the most destructive enemy of the loblolly pine is Lenzites sepiaria, 

 which causes a brown rot. The various forms of the fruiting body of the fungus are 

 described, and accounts given of experiments to test the susceptibility of timber to 

 this fungus. It was found that proper piling would to a considerable extent protect 

 the timber for some time. 



ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 



Ground squirrels and other rodent pests in Nevada, P. Frandsen (Nevada 

 st<t. Hiil. 58, pp. 34, pis. 5, Jigs. 7). — In Nevada there are 3 species of ground squirrels, 

 OiteUus beecheyi, C. oregonus, and C beldmgi. ('. oregonus is the only one of economic 

 importance. The author discusses in detail the habits and food of ground squirrels. 

 The badger, coyote, hawks, and owls are their chief enemies. Ground squirrels 

 cause great damage by destruction of grain, alfalfa, and garden crops, by eating range 

 grasses, and by interfering with irrigation as a result of their burrowing. 



