44 
EIGHTH REPORT. 
development of starch grains in the cells of the fleshy part of the apple. 
This is true notably of apple scab, and also to some slight extent of soft 
rot (Penicilium), and of bitter rot. But these , two last mentioned dis¬ 
solve the cellulose, acting through the middle lamellae, and separating 
the cells, thus causing that soft condition which is commonly termed 
“rotten.” The black rot, however, though it commences by dissolving 
the middle lamellae, does not go on dissolving the cellulose but seems 
to content itself with boring through the mass of cellulose which it has 
succeeded in causing the apple cell to build up. 
The following conclusions may be logically made from this discussion 
and from the experiments involved in it: 
(1) Cellulose and starch are developed directly in the Cells of a, ripe 
apple (long since detached from the tree) by the fungus Sphaeropsis 
malorum Pic., and in rather large quantities. 
(2) The development of cellulose seems to be an adaptation of ad¬ 
vantage to the fungus in enabling it to tide itself over unfavorable 
periods of time; in such cases no perithecia are produced. 
(3) The apple is, to a certain extent, in a state of preservation when 
this fungus has operated upon it for some time. The ebony-like apple 
is not easily subject to attacks of other fungi. 
(4) At first it might appear as though *the fungus caused the produc¬ 
tion of cellulose, but it is rather the result of a stimulus upon the cell 
content induced by the fungus. 
Agricultural College. 
