KEP0BT OF THE BOTANIST. 77 



really were the same species. Everywhere, upon Nipple Top, 

 Mt. Colvin, Haystack, Skylight, Mt. Marcy and the marshes 

 of the Boreas Ponds, these feeble spruces, struggling for an 

 existence in uncongenial places, were badly infested by a spe- 

 cies of rust-fungus, Peridermium decolorans, that attacks 

 and discolors the leaves. But nowhere on the lower and drier 

 lands, where the growth of the spruces is more vigorous and 

 healthy, was any evidence of the presence of this fungus vis- 

 ible. It seems to have been unusually abundant the past sea- 

 son, for it was not observed in any of my previous visits to 

 the mountains. So many of the leaves were affected that at 

 a considerable distance the yellowish hue of the foliage was 

 apparent. The effect upon the trees must necessarily be detri- 

 mental, but, whether it will prove fatal, future observation 

 must tell. 



The bramble rust, Uredo himinata, is rapidly becoming a 

 pest to the cultivators of blackberries and raspberries, if we 

 may judge from the numerous complaints of its ravages and 

 the frequent inquiries for a remedy. It is certainly desirable 

 that some one, having facilities for such work, should insti- 

 tute a series of experiments for the purpose of discovering 

 some effective means of counteracting or preventing its inju- 

 rious attacks. The presence of the fungus can be detected 

 soon after the leaves begin to expand, and it becomes more 

 and more obvious until the whole lower surface of the affected 

 leaf is covered with pale blotches. Soon these are ruptured, 

 revealing the very bright orange-colored dust — the spores of 

 the fungus — which now gives a brilliant hue to the affected 

 surface of the leaf, and is ready for dissemination and the 

 further extension of the mischief. It would therefore be well 

 to employ the remedial agents before the epidermis is rup- 

 tured and the spores disseminated. 



In consequence of the growing interest in the study of 

 fungi, and the numerous inquiries concerning the best meth- 

 ods of preparing and preserving specimens, it has been 

 thought best to give a few brief hints and suggestions in rela- 

 tion to their collection and preservation. The collector should 

 have a suitable tin box in which to carry his specimens. With 

 care, a little ingenuity in placing specimens in the box, and a 

 few small paper boxes for delicate or fragile species, an ordin- 

 ary botanical box will answer. A box with partitions, so 



