NEWS AND NOTES 
In the August number of Phytopathology, L. L. Harter de- 
scribes Plenodomus destruens, a fungus causing “ foot-rot ” of 
sweet potato. A more complete account of the disease appeared 
in the Journal of Agricultural Research for December. 
A recent paper by Hauch and Ravn on Oidium in the oak 
forests of Denmark describes the appearance and effects of the 
disease, the checking of growth and the lessening of resistance to 
cold, and suggests potassium sulfid solution as a remedy, but one 
that is unsuited to forest conditions by reason of the labor and 
expense involved. 
Bulletin No. 355 of Cornell University treats of the apple scab 
disease, caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis ( Cooke) 
Winter. The paper which is by Errett Wallace contains in addi- 
tion to a detailed study of the fungus, also a history of the dis- 
tribution and economic importance of the disease. Also con- 
siderable space is devoted to a discussion of the means of con- 
trolling it. 
In the June number of Phytopathology, J. J. Taubenhaus de- 
scribes Sclerotium bataticola, a fungus causing “charcoal-rot” of 
sweet potato. This was formerly thought to be a state of 
Sphaeronema fimbriata (Ellis & Halst.) Saec., but it has been 
proven conclusively by Taubenhaus that it is not. No other 
fruiting stage could be found for the fungus except the sclerotia, 
which are produced in large numbers. 
Dr. F. D. Heald, of the Laboratory of Forest Pathology, Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, visited the Garden on February 4 and 5 
to consult certain types of fungi in the Ellis Collection. He has 
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