4 BULLETII^ 1102, U. S. DEPARTMEISTT OF AGRICULTTJRE. 



PRESENT INVESTIGATIONS. 



The object of the series of experiments herein reported was to de- 

 termine, if possible, the true cause of pecan kernel-spot and its rela- 

 tion, if any, to certain sucking insects and parasitic fungi. 



In preparation for this work, 250 small wire cages were made of 

 No. 16 screen wire. The wire was cut in strips and two edges were 



Fig. 2. — Kernel spots on Schley pecans. The upper six views show the location of the 

 spots on the ridges and edges of the halves. The three lower views illustrate kernels 

 cut through the spots, showing the depth and extent of the injured portions. (En- 

 larged about one-fourth.) 



clamped and soldered together, thus forming a cylinder C inches 

 long and 4 inches in diameter. Cheesecloth was sewed to each end of 

 the cylindrical cage, with the ends open, so that the cloth at one 

 end could be tied around the limbs just back of the cluster of nuts, 

 thus holding the cage in a position around the cluster. (Fig. 4.) The 

 cloth at the other end of the cage was tied during the experiment. 



