1888: | BOTANICAL GAZETTE, 15 
31. That of “ Pourridie,” or root rot of the grape. The root rot of 
fruit trees, especially of the pear, has already been noted in this country, 
but Iam not aware that there has been any published notice of the root 
rot of the vine. This disease was observed in Missouri, Texas and Cali- 
fornia. It usually appears in low parts of the vineyard or where the soil 
is poorly drained, and is especially liable to occur where the land has 
been recently in forest. It was on land from whence oak trees had been 
removed that the disease was observed in California. Although the fungi 
causing the root rot of vines in this country have not been scientifically 
determined, they are doubtless the same as have been found in Europe, 
-and so well studied by M. R. Hartig and by M. P. Viala, viz.: Damatophora 
necatrix or Agaricus mzlleus. Magnificent growths of the latter fungus were 
seen by the writer in full development around dead or dying oak trees 
near Dallas, Texas. It is possible that this fungus is the cause of the 
serious losses which the fruit-growers about Dallas suffer from the “ root- 
rot” of peach and other trees. Efforts are being made to determine 
whether or not this is the case. 
4th. That of Septosporium Fuckelii Thiimen. This fungus was found 
infesting the leaves of Vitis Culifurnica growing in the cafons near 
Orange, California. Oa some of the vines the foliage was almost entirely 
destroyed by its attacks. Itisa fungus similar in its habits and action on 
the host to Cercssp ora vitis Sice., and its presence need not be regarded 
with alarm It was not seen on the cultivated grapes, although it appears 
_ to be not infrequent in the vineyards of Europe. The appearance of the 
upper surface of the leaves attacked bears a striking resemblance to 
those infested with m‘ldew (Peronospor2), bat the black spots visible on 
the under surfac2 at once distinguish it from that fungus. 
oth. That it is very doubtful if Peronsspora viticola has yet been in- 
troduced into California. The districts supposed to be infested with this 
parasite, from the reports received by the Department of Agriculture, 
were found, upon investigation, to be entirely free from this disease. 
6th. That of Uromyces betx on the cultivated beets in southern Cal- 
ifornia. So far as can be ascertained from available authorities, this is the 
first discovery of this disease in the United States. It is common in 
Europe, where it occasions some damage by diminishing the sugar prod- 
uct of the infested plants. It is one of the species whose life history has 
been fally traced, affording us the knowledge which will enable us to’ 
control it, should it become troublesome to the beet sugar interests. — 
7th. That the stylospores of Physalospora Bidwellii may remain intact 
in the berries through the winter, and will germinate in the spring when 
placed in suitable conditions. From this it appears that the ascospores 
are not essential to the perpetu ition of the fungus. The expulsion of the 
ascospores from their perithecia and their subsequent germination, as 
seen in the laboratory of the Department, have already been recorded. 
