78 



fungus. I am, therefore, inclined to think that this disease is 

 not the true II. rhahdiferum but an undescribed, species of Hel- 



mintJiosporiicm. 



From an economic point, the fact of the shot-hole fungus 

 and the apricot disease being the same is of importance. A.s 

 the disease appears first on the leaves before attacking the 

 fruit, it shows the necessity of combating the disease in this 

 early stage, as well as not allowing comparatively valueless 

 trees that are diseased to remain near young and healthy ones. 



The following is the description of the spores of the shot- 

 hole fungus : — Obovate or sub-fusiform, •0014 inch long by 

 '00056 inch broad in centre ; a single spore at extremity of a 

 short peduncle from which it readily parts ; of a very pale 

 greenish-brown colour, almost hyaline ; mostly tri-septate, 

 many bi-septate, and a few 4-5 septate. 



[December, 1885. — I take advantage of the proof of the above 

 being forwarded for correction to add a few remarks. I found 

 that during last winter, before all the almond leaves had fallen, 

 that in the centre of the roundish-brown spots were generally 

 to be found one or more tufts of a light brown colour, about 

 -54u inch in diameter, and which consisted of a great number of 

 these spores growing on their peduncles. In early summer 

 these tufts no longer appeared, although the brown discoloured 

 spots became more numerous, w^hich soon falling out formed 

 the characteristic shot-holes. As soon as the fruit of the apri- 

 cot begins to form, one or more very minute specks may be 

 observed, but always on the upper side of the fruit ; these 

 specks increase in number and size until they make the brown 

 scabs or "pustular eruptions." The scabby fruit is always 

 most prevalent on trees that are most attacked with the shot- 

 hole fungus, and always worse where the leaves are thickest 

 over the fruit. Mr. Tepper informs me that Professor Lud- 

 w^ig, of Germany, had decided, from some almond leaves he had 

 sent him, that they were attacked with Sporidesmium amygda- 

 learum, but as Mr. Tepper is doubtful whether the Professor 

 saw any spores, and as he was not aware of the supposed con- 

 nection of the shot-hole fungus with the " pustular eruption " 

 on the apricot, and as, moreover, the spores above-mentioned 

 do not answer the description of a Sporidesmium, I am still of 

 opinion that it is a true Helmintliosporium. — P.S.C.] 



