34 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



appeared. Orchard trees in good condition were perhaps 

 less affected in the first place, and subsequently were better 

 able to withstand the injury, owing to their better condition. 

 This trouble is an unusual one, of more interest on account 

 of its peculiar nature than from any economic importance. 



A /Strawberri/ Disease. 

 Many complaints were made during the past summer of 

 the dying of strawberry plants set out in new beds. The 

 same also occurred to a much less extent in old beds at the 

 time of fruiting. In the latter case the trouble appeared as a 

 withering and dying of the fruit stalks, followed b}^ the same 

 effect in the leaves. Much more pronounced was the case 

 of the new beds, where in numerous instances many of the 

 yomig plants withered aAvay in July, showing symptoms of 

 a very definite nature. The first indications of the disease 

 appeared in the leaf stalks, which showed a dark discoloration 

 and withering. Following this the leaves slowly faded away, 

 the whole plant finally becoming dead. The trouble at first 

 sight appeared to be located in the petioles, where the black 

 spots first appeared. Examination of these parts, however, 

 showed no fungus present, nor anything which would ac- 

 count for the effect. The roots of affected plants were found 

 in all cases to be in very poor condition, the older ones 

 being decayed and little new growth present, as should be 

 the case where the plants had been set out some time. 

 Further examination showed that a fungous growth was 

 present in almost all the roots of affected plants, apparently 

 causing them to rot away at the ends. Even in the sound 

 })arts this fungus could be detected, growing in from the 

 outside toAvard the centre. In affected plants from many 

 different localities the same condition Avas found, so that 

 there can be little doubt that the Avithering of the petioles 

 and leaves Avas due to the rotting of the roots. Attempts 

 Avere made to obtain cultures of the fungus, in order to de- 

 termine its identity more definitely and test its effect upon 

 healthy plants. As this Avas not accomplished, no definite 

 conclusions can be drawn as to the actual cause of the dis- 

 ease. The cold, Avet Aveatlier of the past season would natr- 



