658 EXPEKIMEJJfT STATION RECORD. 



A new disease of the leaves of Aucuba japonica, C. Massalongo {Bui. Soc. 

 But. ItuL, lUOO, pp. 100, 167). 



Notes on outgrowths on the green parts of Hibiscus vitifolius, Dale {Proc. 

 Camh. Phil Soc, 10 {1900), Xo. 4, pp. 192-209, pAs. 3). 



A disease of birch trees, E. Paulson {Nature, 62 {1900), No. 1610, p. 599). — A 

 brief note on the ofcurrence of a destructive disease of birch trees in parts of Eng- 

 land. The cause of the disease is thought to ])e Mdanconis stUbostoma, since that 

 fungus is found abundant on both living and dead trees. 



A contribution to the knowledge of an oak root parasite, K. Hartig {C'entbl. 

 Gesam. Forstw. Wien, 26 {1900), No. 6, pp. 243-250, figs. 10). — Notes are given on 

 the life history of Rosellinia querdna, a destructive parasite of oak roots. The most 

 serious injury is to seedlings, although the author reports the peritheciaof the fungus 

 on old plants. The spores germinate readily in water after 24 hours, and retain 

 their vitality for at least a year. The mycelium attacks the cellulose of the root, 

 dissolving it and also uses up the starch in the roots. 



Preliminary note on some witches' brooms, R. A. Robertson ( Trans, and Proc. 

 But. Soc. Edinburgh, 21 {1900), pt. 4,pp- 313-318, figs, i').— Notes are given of witches' 

 brooms observed on the larch and Picea nobilis. These formations are well known 

 on some coniferous trees, but on the species mentioned they are comparatively rare. 

 Other witches' brooms are reported as occurring on ash {Fra.rinus excelsior), and 

 upon Cratxgus oxyacantha. The author states he has been unable to find any record 

 of such outgrowths occurring on either of these species. 



The adhesiveness of potassium permanganate as a fungicide, G. Chappaz 

 {Prug. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. U Est), 21 {1900), No. 47, p. 625).— Xa a result of a single 

 application in June, traces of the permanganate were found upon the grape leaves in 

 autumn. 



A disinfecting machine for cereals, F. Falke {Lnndir. Wchn,'>chr. Sadisen, 2 

 {1900), Nos. 41, p)p- 305-367; 42, pp. 374, 375). — A description is given of a machine 

 designed for the rapid treatment of cereals with formalin or formalin and ammonia 

 for smut prevention. Comparative figures are also given in which the efficiency of 

 the treatment is shown as well as the effect upon the germination of the seed. 



A review of the literature relating to plant protection during 1899, M. 

 HoLLRUNG {Jnkresbericht i'dier die Neuerungen und Leistutigea nuf dem (-iehiele drs Pfian- 

 zenschutzes. Berlin, 1900, pp. 303) . — Brief reviews are given of the general literature 

 relating to fungus diseases and insect enemies of plants and the means taken for com- 

 bating them. In the second part the literature pertaining to these injurious agents 

 is grouped according to the host plants, the principal groups being: Injuries to 

 plants without reference to the hosts; injuries to cereals, to fodder grasses, root crops, 

 garden crops, forage crops other than grasses, large and small fruits, grapes, tropical 

 plants, forest trees, and ornamentals. The means for coml)ating these diseases are 

 divided into natural and artificial methods, the latter referring to chemical and 

 mechanical agencies, while the former refers tt) parasites, etc. An annotated list of 

 nearly a hundred pages of titles of publications in addition to those abstracted at 

 greater length completes the volume and serves to give some idea of the extent of the 

 literature upon the subject. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Apiary experiments, C. P. Gillette ( Colorado iSta. Bui. 51^.., pp. 

 28^ pis. G). — The general problem with which this bulletin is con- 

 cerned is the question to what extent and in what form wax can be 

 best furnished to bees for their use in building com)). As is well 

 known, it is generallv believed that bees use wax from artificial foun- 



