EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 381 



Asparagus Rust. 



Perhaps the most destructive fungous enemy toi any truck 

 crop in recent years is the rust of the asparagus, but for the past 

 two seasons it has been less in evidence, in part due to the 

 introduction of more resistant varieties. Recently letters of in- 

 quiry have been sent to the leading growers of this vegetable, and 

 from their replies it seems clear that the present season has seen 

 a further advance toward healthful asparagus fields. One report 

 contains the following statement : "The asparagus here is in fine « 

 condition, but little rust; in fact, some fields almost totally ex- 

 empt." Another writes that : "The asparagus fields in this vicin- 

 ity, although affected with rust, are not so much so as in former 

 years, some fields that rusted last year quite badly a few weeks 

 agO' could not be detected with rust by close examination." The 

 following report is assuring: "There is very little asparagus rust 

 on well-cared-for and up-to-date fields, and especially is this true 

 on those varieties grown from seed taken from plants which 

 showed the greatest rust-resisting qualities. Until the heavy 

 frosts a week agO' my six-year-old beds were as green as the 

 middle of July. Asparagus never looked better in this vicinity," 

 Additional facts are given in another report as follows: "While 

 there may be traces of rust, I have noticed none, and do not 

 think it of sufficient importance on any beds here to cause damage, 

 if any at all. .This alludes to Palmetto. Where the old varieties 

 are still in existence, there you see rust; even there it is not so- bad* 

 as formerly." 



Forest Fungi. 



Two diseases among forest trees have been unusually abundant 

 the present season. Early in the summer many complaints were 

 made of a trouble with the foliage of the "Plane-tree," "Button- 

 ball," or "Sycamore" (Plaitanus occidentalis) . This was due to 

 a fungus (Gloeospormm nervisequium) that preys upon the 

 yotmg shoots, often destroying them and the partially-developed 

 leaves they bear. Early in June, in a ride from. Trenton to Belvi- 



