SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, MARCH 22. 



xxiii 



Cypress Diseased. — A specimen received from Dr. Church, 

 having the bark split and detached and infested with fungi, was 

 forwarded to Kew for further examination. The following 

 report was received : " Cupressus dolabrata. — This is a typical 

 example of bark- scorching. The cortex, being first killed by 

 exposure to the sun's rays, afterwards splits and forms sun- 

 cracks, and finally separates from the wood. The fungus present 

 — Corticium lacteum, Fries — is simply saprophytic on the dead 

 parts." 



Scientific Committee, Makch 22, 1898. 

 Dr. M. T. Masters in the Chair, and eight members present. 



Orchid Boots with Fungus. — With reference to the nature 

 of the fungus attacking Orchid roots in a damp atmosphere , 

 referred to at the last meeting, Dr. W. G. Smith, of the York- 

 shire College, Leeds, writes as follows : — " The Orchid aerial 

 roots sent contained a fungus which lives on them and has 

 killed some already. The absence of any form of reproductive 

 organs renders it impossible to identify the parasite. Other 

 portions of diseased plants (i.e. leaves) would be required to 

 ascertain the true nature of the fungus. The fungus present 

 attacks living cells, consumes the food laid up by the plant, and 

 finally kills the roots. A disease having somewhat the same 

 effects has been found in the Vanilla plants of Mauritius." 



Palm Leaves Discoloured. — Mr. W. A. Holmes, of the Putney 

 Nurseries, sent some portions of Palm leaves with numerous 

 translucent spots. They were received from the Continent. An 

 examination appeared to indicate a previous attack by insects ; 

 but none were present, the interior tissue having disappeared 

 from the spots, so that the new leaves would probably be quite 

 healthy. 



Vine-Browning. — Mr. Hudson showed a young shoot, the 

 leaves of which were blistered and brown. This is due to the 

 presence of Myxomycetous fungus, Plasmodiopliora vitis, allied 

 to P. Brassicce, the " slime fungus," which gives rise to " club 

 disease," or "finger and toe," in cultivated cruciferous plants. 

 The only remedy is to cut away and burn all affected leaves or 

 shoots. It is described and figured in Viala's " Maladies de 

 la Vigne," p. 400. 



