56 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



a fusarium leaf spot of carnations, and CJia'fomhnii coiiiorfuiii on bar- 

 ley seedlings. 



In the summer of 1898 it was reported to the station that in the 

 onion region of Orange County, N. Y., the bulVjs were rotting badly, 

 and upon investigation it was found that in nearly all the fields there 

 was a considerable amount of rot. Two forms were recognized, one 

 which starts at the bottom of the onion and the second which starts at 

 the top or neck. The latter kind was much moi'e common and consti- 

 tuted probably 80 per cent of the total amount of rot. Upon cutting 

 open the affected bulbs, it was generally found that 2 or 3 of the outer 

 scales were perfectlj^ sound, while the remainder of the bulb was a 

 rotten mass. Microscopic examinations of the rotten tissues showed 

 the absence of fungi, but there were swarms of a medium-sized motile 

 bacillus which doubtless causes the rot. Bulbs so affected showed in 

 addition a growth of fusarium, which aids materially in destroying the 

 onions, and in some cases this may be the primary" cause. As yet no 

 attempt has been made to determine the identity of the organism caus- 

 ing the disease. Experiments were conducted in the laljoratory which 

 showed the necessity of an abundant water supply for the production 

 of the disease, and as the onion ffelds had been frequently inundated 

 on account of the heavy rainfall during the season, the conditions 

 were favorable for the presence and rapid spread of the disease. 



The powdery mildew on field-grown cucumbers is reported by the 

 station, although the identity of the fungus is a matter of some 

 conjecture. While powdery mildew has been known to occur on 

 cucumbers grown under glass, this is probably the first report of its 

 occurrence in the field. There seems to be little likelihood of its 

 becoming epidemic, and should it do so, it probably would not be 

 diflicult to control. 



The author reports the occurrence of dodder, probably Cuscuta gro- 

 nov'u, on cucumber plants grown in the station hothouse. 



Investigations were conducted to determine whether the Baldwin 

 fruit spot is caused l)y fungi or bacteria. This disease, which is quite 

 characteristic on the Baldwin apple, occurs in the form of conspicuous 

 spots on the surface of the fruit. The spots vary in color from light 

 to dark brown, are generally' circular in outliiie, although sometimes 

 quite irregular, but always with the corners well rounded and sharph^ 

 delimited from healthy tissue. Underneath the surface spots the tissue 

 is light brown, dry, and spongy for a distance of ^ to yV hi. This 

 spongy tissue is not bitter to the taste, or at least but slightly so. 

 Microscopic examination of the tissue revealed no fungi or bacteria 

 which could be definitely demonstrated. From the results of the 

 author's study, he concludes that this form of apple fruit spot is not 

 caused by fungi or bacteria and that the real cause is unknown. 



A report is given of a fusarium occurring on the carnation, result- 

 ing in leaf spot. The plants had been growing under conditions espe- 



