PAPERS ON BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE 139 



produced a solid mat of mycelmm with numerous scle- 

 rotial bodies. The spore masses on the exterior were 

 light yellow or salmon colored, or in some cases where 

 the surface was dry they had turned black, due to the 

 presence of numerous dark cells (not setae). 



An examination of the literature revealed the fact that 

 Collectotr'ichuui lagtnarium (Pass) Ell. and Hals. 

 (Gloeosporium lagenarium (Pass.) Sacc.) was originally 

 described in this country as occurring on old gourds in 

 the vicinity of Philadelphia in 1882. 



This disease has always been regarded as one of the 

 most destructive diseases of watermelons and is occa- 

 sionally serious on canteloupes and cucumbers. Since 

 gourds have not previously been grown in the region 

 where this disease occurred so abundantly it is probable 

 that it was transferred from one of the above hosts which 

 were growing in the neighborhood of the gourds, or was 

 in the soil in which the gourds were planted. Its virulence 

 on this particular gourd variety is so marked that it will 

 evidently play an important part in the future develop- 

 ment of this vegetable. 



STRAWBERRY 



Leaf scorch {Mollisia earliana (E. & E.) Sacc. Mars- 

 son'ia potentillae (Desm.) Fish. Marssonia poteutillae 

 var fragariae Sacc.) This disease was first observed in 

 the University variety plantings in 1921. An examina- 

 tion of many berry beds in the vicinity of Champaign 

 and Urbana and in other sections of the state failed to 

 reveal any of the disease. It seems evident, therefore, 

 that it was introduced on the plants and has not become 

 widely disseminated. The plants were received in 1917 

 from Kellogg 's Nursery, Three Rivers, Michigan, where 

 the disease is known to occur. It is quite probable that 

 other introductions of the disease have occurred in other 

 sections of the state since it is the practice of growers 

 to obtain their plants from Michigan nurseries. The 

 disease is more destructive than the ordinary leaf spot 

 and efforts should be made to prevent its general spread. 

 So far as is now kno\Yn the most popular varieties of 

 strawberries in Illinois, Dunlap and Burrill, are not very 



