2G8  Amuial  Report  for  1904  of  the  Consulting  Botanist. 
described  or  recorded  as  a parasite,  but  only  as  living  on 
dead  material,  it  cannot  have  killed  the  branches  in  this  case. 
Experiments  with  the  fungus  have  been  made,  and  it  continues 
under  observation. 
Miscellaneous  plants. — In  three  cases  diseased  cucumbers 
received  from  various  sources  were  investigated.  The  one  was 
a disease  causing  spots  on  the  leaves,  which  rapidly  increase  in 
size,  and  kill  in  time  the  whole  leaf.  The  spots  are  caused  by 
the  growth  of  the  mycelium  of  a fungus  {Cercospora  Melonis 
Cke.)  in  the  tissues  of  the  leaves.  All  affected  leaves  shoiild  be 
removed  from  the  plant  and  a spray  of  Bordeaux  mixture 
applied.  Two  samples  of  cucumber  fruits  were  sent  affected 
by  bacteria,  causing  cumosis,  that  is,  a wet  decay  of  portions 
of  the  fruits,  which,  when  completely  converted  into  a wet 
pulp,  drop  off.  A striking  feature  on  these  cucumbers  was 
that  the  dried  up  flower  still  adhered  to  the  fruit.  The 
disease  originated  from  the  place  of  attachment  and  spread  into 
the  fruit.  As  soon  as  fruits  are  seen  to  be  attacked  they  must 
be  collected  and  not  be  allowed  to  drop,  as  the  bacteria  would 
live  in  the  soil  and  the  disease  would  reappear.  Nothing  can 
be  done  by  spraying  to  prevent  the  disease. 
Tomato  plants  have  been  sent  twice  ; in  both  cases  the 
fruits  and  leaves  were  attacked  by  Cladosporiuin  falvum 
Cke.,  a fungus  which  causes  dark  olive-green  patches  on  the 
mature  fruits  and  renders  them  unfit  for  sale  or  use.  The 
discolouration  of  the  leaves  is  obvious,  but  the  leaves  are 
seldom  completely  destroyed.  The  best  method  of  treatment  is 
to  get  rid  of  the  diseased  material,  and  this  should  be  removed 
and  burnt.  Spraying  with  Bordeaux  mixture  is  advisable, 
repeated  at  intervals,  as  soon  as  spots  on  the  leaves  are  noticed. 
Plenty  of  bacteria  were  observed  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the 
diseased  patches  on  the  fruits,  but  they  are  the  consequence 
and  not  the  cause  of  the  injury. 
Cladosporium  herharum  Link,  caiising  black  spots  on  pods 
of  kidney  beans,  has  been  observed.  The  fungus  is  nearly 
always  found  on  the  pods  of  beans  which  have  been  allowed 
to  ripen  and  dry  up  on  the  plants.  This  species  has  not  been 
recorded  on  healthy  leaves.  All  old  pods  and  other  material 
likely  to  be  affected  must  be  removed,  else  the  disease  will 
soon  spread. 
A meml)er  inquired  about  the  nature  of  a disease  which 
had  killed  several  tulips  in  his  garden  in  Hampshire.  The 
attack  was  due  to  Botrytis  parasitica  Cav.,  described  in  detail 
in  the  Report  for  1900.  The  diseased  tulips  should  be  taken 
up  and  burnt  and  no  other  tulips  be  planted  for  a year  or  two. 
