114 MA INK STATE COLLEGE 



wind after the r.aiiiwfitor evaporates. Spores taken from speci- 

 mens kept in the herbarium for several mouths will germinate, 

 showing the vitality of this parasite, and warranting the belief 

 that the fungus will live over winter in the canes. 



Precautions. 

 (a.) In the case of Mr. Pope's plants the disease was no 

 doubt on the canes when planted and probably on his neighbors' 

 bushes when they came from the nursery. We reiterate the 

 importance of carefully examining nursery stock before planting 

 it, to see whether it is affected by fungus or insect parasites. 

 If found to be affected by a fungus it should he burned without 

 delay. 



(6.) As it seems quite certain that the spores of this disease 

 survive the winter in old canes, those that are through bearing, 

 or dead, or badly affected, should be removed at the close of each 

 season and burned. 



(c.) As moisture favors the grovvth of fungi the plants should 

 be trained and framed so as to admit as free a circulation of air 

 and light as possible. Planting in rows six feet apart and the 

 plants five feet in the rows will admit plenty of light and air, and 

 will admit of cultivation each way. 



(d.) Spraying with a solution of sulphate of iron (green vit- 

 ril) two pounds, to five gallons of water, before the buds start in 

 the spring has been recommended. 



(e.) Should the disease appear after the leaves are expanded 

 the use of Bordeaux mixture is recommended. 



Remarks. 



Those who wish to read a fuller account of this disease will 

 find it considered in the Report of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, 1887, page 357, and illustrated on plate V. 



The Potato Blight. 

 PhytopMliora infestans, De Bary. 

 To determine whether the germs of potato rot live over winter 

 in the soil, or are planted in the seed, the following experiment 

 was performed : 



A quantity of rotten potatoes from a badly infested patch was 

 gathered and buried in the ground under as natural conditions as 



