News and Notes 



97 



The danger to buildings from the dry rot fungus (Merulius 

 lacrymans) has not been recognized in this country as it has in 

 Europe and builders have been allowed to use unseasoned wood 

 to a large extent. A recent investigation in New York City by 

 Professor L H. Woolson, of Columbia University, brought to light 

 an astonishing condition of affairs in a great number of wooden 

 buildings, which may collapse as did the Gledhill factory unless 

 speedily repaired. 



The first annual meeting of the American Phytopathological 

 Society was recently held in Boston in connection with the meet- 

 ings of the A. A. A. S. A large number of interesting papers 

 on plant diseases were presented. The following officers were 

 elected for the ensuing year : President, F. L. Stevens ; Vice- 

 president^ A. F. Woods ; Secretary-Treasurer, C. L. Shear, U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. ; Councillors, 

 L. R. Jones, A. D. Selby, and H. H. Whetzel. 



Bulletin 63 of the department of agriculture of the central ex- 

 perimental farm, Ottawa, Canada, reports an outbreak in New- 

 foundland of the very serious potato disease known as potato 

 canker (Chrysophlyctis endobiotica Schilb.). This is the first 

 record of this pest for America, it having been formerly known 

 only in Europe. 



The presence of the disease cannot be detected until the tubers 

 are lifted from the ground, and, when present, scarcely a healthy 

 potato can be found. The disease first makes its appearance 

 in the eyes of the potato and is here characterized by an abnormal 

 development of the shoot, giving rise to small nodules of a rusty- 

 brown color. Later, the entire potato is attacked and is often 

 completely decomposed. 



This is one of the most serious pests of the potato known and 

 the above bulletin is issued as a warning, especially to the potato 

 growers of Canada. It is requested that any suspicion of the 

 presence of this disease be at once reported to the station, to- 

 gether with specimens of the diseased plants. 



