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SoU Report oF THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. 
a series of six ridges or convolutions in the wood surrounding a central 
starting point, each one of which evidently marked a year’s growth of a 
parasitic fungus. The fungus, Sphwropsis malorwm Pk., which has been 
shown to be the cause of the common New York apple-tree canker, is 
more active in its growth. With this disease large areas of bark may be 
destroyed and the wood laid bare, or in other instances the bark may be 
much swollen and roughened, but the form of injury described above does 
not occur. - 
The appearance of the diseased limb, which was similar to that shown 
in Plate LVI at 3, strikingly resembled the work of Nectria ditissima as 
illustrated and described by European writers: However there was no 
fungus fruit in evidence, and as I was unsuccessful in obtaining more 
specimens the matter was dropped for a time. 
In the latter part of May several specimens of diseased apple limbs 
were received from East Homer, Cortland County, N. Y., that were similar 
in appearance to the one from Nova Scotia, but in addition many portions 
of the dead bark and wood were thickly studded with the minute, deep 
red perithecia of a Nectria. Among the specimens were examples of 
recent infections as is shown at 1, in the plate, as well as cankers of 
several years standing. The perithecia were abundant on all these speci- 
mens, so there seemed little doubt but that the Nectria was the cause of 
the diseased condition. 
On visiting the locality it was found that the fungus was evidently con- 
fined to a small area and but few additional specimens were secured. 
Through the kindness of Professor I’. C. Sears, Wolfville, N. S., more 
specimens of the diseased apple limbs were obtained from that locality 
in June and the perithecia of the Nectria were found to be abundant on 
them. Professor Sears writes that this form of canker is doing serious 
damage in some of the orchards of the Annapolis Valley. 
Specimens of the diseased branches were sent to Dr. R. Hartig, Munich, 
Germany, for identification, who writes that the cankers are caused by 
the fungus Nectria ditissima. 
So far as I know this fungus has not as yet been recorded as occurring 
on apple trees in America, and its appearance in our orchards is of great 
practical importance since it is a serious pest to European fruit growers.” 
Since the above article was written, I have had an opportunity 
of comparing the fungus with specimens of NW. ditissima on 
cankered apple trees which were collected for me in England by 
Mr. H. Hadlow of this Station. There is no doubt as to its 
identity. . 
