New York AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 195 
counted for except on the assumption that the two nearby Pinus 
strobus trees were diseased last spring. It may be possible to deter- 
mine this point next spring. If it can be proven that these trees 
were free from Peridermium in the spring of 1906 then it would 
seem that we have here evidence in support of Eriksson’s view; 
for it is scarcely possible that pine trees sixty rods or more distant 
can have been responsible for so abundant an infestation. 
POSE Moy lb PR ADIC A TION. 
In order to stamp out the disease, if possible, every Ribes plant 
on the Station grounds has been destroyed. The two white pines 
standing by the currant plantation, also, will be destroyed if they 
show the disease next spring. A careful watch will be kept over 
pines and currants in the vicinity of the Station and in case of the 
appearance of the disease next season measures will be taken to 
secure the prompt destruction of all affected plants. Perhaps the 
disease may be stamped out, but the chances are against it. The 
writer knows of no record of a successful attempt at the compiete 
eradication of a fungus disease of plants. It is rarely attempted. 
Even should this attempt prove successful, it can not be expected 
that the disease can much longer be kept out of America. Consider- 
ing the frequency with which pine trees are imported it is a wonder 
that the disease has not made its appearance here before. 
ITS PROBABLE IMPORTANCE IN AMERICA. 
It is improbable that growers of currants and gooseberries in 
America have much to fear from this new disease. Even when 
currant leaves are abundantly infested with the rust fungus they 
appear to be but little injured by it. On the Station grounds 
black currants which were badly infested held their leaves until 
well into October. 
The chief danger from Cronartium ribicola lies in its effect on 
pine trees, particularly the white pine. In parts of Europe it has 
wrought havoc among white pines and there is no apparent reason 
why it should be less destructive in America should it become 
established here. Indeed, it may become even more destructive. It 
has not infrequently happened that a parasitic fungus introduced 
