o9 
Twig Blight of Oak 
It seems advisable to call attention to the general prevalence of 
the Oak Twig Blight first described by Miss Ingram (Jour. Agr. 
Res. 1: 339-346. 1914). So far I have seen it only on chestnut 
oak (Quercus montana Willd.) and each year, within the local 
flora range, one may find this disease. Miss Ingram, however, 
records its occurrence on chestnut (Castanea dentata Borkh.) and 
on white oak (Q. alba L.), and has proved by inoculations that 
other species of oak are susceptible. Although in many cases the 
disease may cause a wilting and browning of the young shoots, 
it may also kill full-grown leaves indirectly by attacking the twigs 
that bear them. These leaves then turn a light brown, and on 
account of the great contrast in color with the healthy green leaves 
can be seen at some distance. It is a common thing in this region 
to see chestnut oaks during the summer with patches of these 
dead leaves here and there over the whole tree. In all cases ex- 
amined the causal fungus, Diplodia longispora C. and EIl., has 
been found to be present, but it is possible that insect injury may 
in some instances produce similar symptoms. Usually the damage 
is slight, but occasionally large trees slowly succumb to continued 
attacks, and small suppressed individuals in the forest often die 
from this cause. Further study of the life-history of the fungus, 
its distribution, hosts and manner of infection is much needed. 
It should be stated that all of the work on forest pathology has 
been done in collaboration with the Office of Forest Pathology, 
Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C. 
Beardless Iris Project 
“By GeorcE M. REED 
Japanese iris (Iris kaempfert) 
Excellent bloom was obtained on the varieties of Japanese Iris 
which were well established. The first flowers were observed 
June 24th, on some unnamed single white seedlings which were 
growing along the Brook. On June 28th, the first named varie- 
ties, Dominator and Pyramid, were in flower, and from that time 
