286 
F. A. Wolf, 
fungi (21) J ) and so far as it is known no one has previously determined 
the presence of pectinase in Rhizoctonia. No evidence of this enzyme 
could be found in fruits decayed through the attack of Ascochyia hor- 
torum. 
The work thus far conducted clearly indicates that Rhizoctonia 
secretes a cytolytic enzyme, since none was found in normal Egg 
plants, and that it is in a measure specific since only Egg plant tissues 
were softened. It is to be understood, however, that the investigation 
thus far conducted is entirely preliminary. 
Summary: A serious disease of Egg plants appearing upon 
leaves, stems, fruit pedicels and fruits is caused by Ascochyta hortorum 
(Speg.) C. 0. Smith. 
The fungus overwinters in its conidial condition on fruit pedicels 
and fruits. There are two kinds of pycnospores, one of which has 
thus far failed to germinate in cultures. Septate conidia have not been 
observed during this investigation. 
Indirect evidence that seed serve in the dissemination of the disease 
comes from the fact that the disease appeared in fresh soil in the green 
house and in a new garden. 
The disease can be controlled by sanitation, coupled with judicious 
rotation and the use of Bordeaux mixture. — Corticium vagum B. 
et C. causes both a damping off disease and a fruit rot. 
An enzyme, pectinase, secreted by the Rhizoctonia stage, causes 
a softening of the tissues in advance of the fungus. 
Literature. 
1. Sackett, W. G., Some bacterial diseases prevalent in Michigan 
(Mich. Agr. Exp. Stat. Bui. 230, 1905, p. 203—220, figs. 6). 
2. —, Some bacterial diseases of plants (Color. Agr. Exp. Stat. Bui. 138, 
1909, p. 3—281. 
3. Clinton, G. P., Report of the Botanist (Conn. Agr. Exp. Stat. Rept. [1904] 
1905, p. 311—384; pi. 20). 
4. Halsted, B. D., Phyllosticta hortortim on Egg plants (Amer. Gard. 
1898, 19 , Nr. 187, p. 531, fig. 1). 
5. Wollenwebek, H. W., Pilz parasitäre Welkekrankheiten der Cultur- 
pflanzen (Ber. D. Bot. Ges. 1913, 31 , p. 17—33). 
6. Rolfs, F. M., Report of the Horticulturist (Fla. Agr. Exp. Stat. Rept. 
1905, p. 46-47). 
7. Halsted, B. D., Report of the Botanist (N. J. Agr. Exp. Stat Rept. 1896, 
p. 338). 
8. —, Report of the Botanist (Ibid. 1898, p. 291—370). 
9. Smith, C. O., A new Egg plant fungus (Journ. Mycol. 1904, 10 , Nr. 71, 
p. 98—99, figs. 6). 
10. —, The study of the diseases of some truck crops in Deleware 
(Del. Agr. Exp. Stat. Bui. 70, 1905, p. 1—16, pis. 2 and figs. 6.). 
11. Voglino, P., Intorno ad un parassita dannoso al Solanum melon- 
gen a (Malpighia 1907, 21 , Nr. 7/8, p. 353 — 363, pi. 1). 
12. —, Canker or rot of S o lanac e ae ; Egg plant, Peppers and Tomato 
(Italia Agr. 1912, 49 , Nr. 3, p. 56—58, fig. 1; — Abstract in Internat. Inst. 
Agr. (Rome) Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases 1912, 3, Nr. 4, p. 1066). 
13. Spegazzini, Ç., Nov. Add. Nr. 54 (Mich. 2 , p. 277). 
1) Consult brief reviews of some of the most notable examples thus far in¬ 
vestigated. 
