1920.1 PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 13a 



DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY. 



A. VINCENT OSMUN. 



During the last year the work of the department has been 

 concerned largely with research problems, previously outlined, 

 and with miscellaneous activities more or less routine. While 

 no research projects have been completed, several have pro- 

 gressed sufficiently to make advisable the early publication of 

 results. The amount of research work under way has not 

 warranted the starting of any new projects during the year. 

 There are, however, many important problems pressing for 

 attention, and some of these are referred to later in this report. 



A brief report of progress on projects follows. 



In the investigation of lettuce drop, a fungous disease 

 caused by Sckrotinia libertiana, a very satisfactory method of 

 control has been worked out, and a bulletin on the subject is 

 in course of preparation. Some of the more technical phases 

 of this work will be discussed in a scientific paper to be pub- 

 lished elsewhere. The project will be continued for a time. 



Mr. Krout has now carried his celery spraying experiments 

 through three seasons. The data obtained from plots in Am- 

 herst, Arlington and at the field station in Concord, with our 

 recommendations, will be ready for publication before another 

 growing season. The results have been satisfactory. 



Investigation under the project on onion diseases has been 

 devoted largely to smut, caused by Urocystis cepulcc, although 

 miscellaneous data on other diseases have been collected. 

 Plots for the study of control measures for smut were estab- 

 lished in two fields, and extensive studies have been carried on 

 in the laboratory and greenhouse throughout the year. While 

 striking results were obtained, a more satisfactory method of 

 control than those thus far employed is sought, and the work 

 will continue. 



