264 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Apples injured by sulphur fumigation, H. J. Eustace (Science, n. ser., 21 

 (1905), No. 548, pp. 994, 995). — A request was recently made upon the New York 

 State Station to diagnose the injury to some apples which had been carefully selected, 

 wrapped in paper, and packed in boxes. 



Scattered irregularly over the surface of each apple were conspicuous spots of 

 various sizes where the epidermis was dead, discolored, and slightly sunken. Each 

 spot was nearly circular, and for a few millimeters beneath the spot the flesh was 

 dead, shrunken, and dry as though affected with the dry rot. The center of each of 

 the smaller spots showed small bodies which proved to be the lenticels of the apple. 

 A careful examination failed to show the presence of either fungi or bacteria, and 

 this led to the belief that some treatment of the fruit such as fumigation might be 

 the cause of the injury. 



Sulphur being commonly used for fumigation, experiments were conducted with 

 it, and although repeated many times with wet and dry fruit, always produced the 

 same characteristic spots. The presence of a lenticel in the center of each spot would 

 indicate that the sulphur dioxid passes into the center of each spot and causes at 

 least the bleaching of the tissue. Similar effects were produced where artificial 

 breaks were made in the epidermis. While the author's experiments were confined 

 to sulphur, it is believed that other chemicals would produce a similar injury. 



Spraying- grapes for black rot in Erie County, Pennsylvania, G. C. Butz 

 (Pennsylvania Sta. Rpt. 1904, pp- 241-252, pis. 2, dgm. l). — During the season of 1902 

 considerable loss was caused by black rot of grapes in Erie County, Pa., and for the 

 summer of 1903 the author planned a series of spraying experiments for its control. 



The spraying experiments were carried on under the author's direction upon a 

 number of vineyards. The fungicide used was the 4-4-50 Bordeaux solution, applica- 

 tions being made in one instance on May 26 and June 29. In this vineyard the net 

 gain attributed to the spraying is $51.12 on 39 rows of grapes of 55 vines each. In 

 the second experiment 5 sprayings were given the vines, the first 3 consisting of 

 Bordeaux mixture and the last 2 of ammoniacal copper carbonate solution, and the 

 owner of the vineyard estimated a net gain of $24 per acre. In the other experi- 

 ments similar results were obtained. 



The powdery mildews of Washington, W. H. Lawrence (Washington Sta. Bui. 

 70, pp. 16, Jigs. 22). — The results of an investigation on the occurrence and distribu- 

 tion of the powdery mildews are given. Notes are given on the life history of the 

 mildews, methods for combating them, and on a number of the more common dis- 

 eases caused by them. Keys are presented for the recognition of the different genera 

 and species and technical descriptions given of each species. 



The powdery mildew, O. Butler (Bui. Cal. Vit. Club, 1905, No. 1, pp. 1-6). — A 

 description is given of the powdery mildew of grapes and suggestions for its control, 

 based upon compiled information. 



The author suggests sulphuring the vines as soon as the mildew appears, and repeat- 

 ing the treatment every time an attack of the mildew appears. Thoroughness of 

 application is essential for proper treatment. The varied susceptibility of a number 

 of varieties is pointed out, and most of the American vines are said to be practically 

 immune, while some of the European species are very sensitive to the fungus attack. 



Concerning the identity of the fungi causing an anthracnose of the sweet 

 pea and the bitter rot of the apple, J. L. Sheldon (Science, n. ser., 22 (1905), No. 

 550, pp. 51, 52).— The author reports having examined some sweet pea plants that 

 were affected with some species of Glceosporium. The manner of growth of the 

 mycelium and the way the conidia were produced suggested relationship with the 

 characteristic bitter-rot fungus of the apple and the fungus causing the mummy 

 disease of the guava. 



Inoculation experiments were carried on between the sweet peas and apple, pro- 

 ducing the characteristic appearance of the bitter rot. An examination showed that 



