6 
R< search Bulletin To. 1 
unsolved and these are now receiving attention. Among these 
mav here be mentioned the determination of the real nature of 
the apparent resistance of young tubers and the stems to the 
invasion of this fungus. 
HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION. 
It seems probable that some form of tuber dry rot du< j r<> 
species of Fusarhim occurred long before it attracted the at- 
tention of potato growers or was investigated by plant patholo- 
gists. We have included in the bibliography references to some of 
the earlier accounts of what appears to be the same type of dry 
rot, rho in most cases the data given are not sufficient to enable 
one to express a positive opinion as to the identity of the causal 
organism. 
One of the earliest published accounts of a tuber dry rot 
was by Clinton 1895. He described (p. 139) a "bundle blacken- 
ing'' in the following words: "This is a fungous trouble of 
stored potatoes which shows as small dots or lines a short dis- 
tance from the surface. The fungus gains entrance probably 
after the potatoes are gathered through the dead stem, and pro- 
ceeds from this through the bundles, causing them to turn black 
as the result of its attack. The fungus is quite similiar to the one 
causing The following trouble." He then described (p. 139) the 
disease which he called "Dry End Rot" as follows: "It affects 
all the tissues as it slowly advances forward, until, perhaps, 
the whole tuber is destroyed. As in the preceding case, the 
trouble begins at the stem end, the fungus gaining entrance after 
the rupture of the tuber from the plant." He believed that this 
latter disease was caused by Fusarium solani and recommended 
that only sound tubers be placed in storage and these kept 
(p. 140) "in a dry, cool place." 
Price 1897 described (p. 926) from Texas the "Dry Rot 
(Fusarium solani)" as follows: "This disease appears on the 
tubers in the form of a dark brown spot which is sunken beneath 
the surface of the potato. The disease spreads more rapidly 
if the tubers be kept moist." 
Bessey 1899 may possibly have had this same disease in hand 
and if so this would be the first reference to the disease in Ne- 
braska. 
Rolfs 1901 referred (p. 26) to the "Irish Potato Summer Rot" 
and says : "There is a rot of the Irish potato that seems quite 
distinct from Bacillus solanacearum, but the exact cause does 
nor seem to have been ascertained. There is a fungus resembling 
a Fusarium quite constantly present but it may not be the cause." 
Smith and Swingle 1904 deseribed a dry rot and wilt of 
