These figures indicate a rather low grade quality of fertilizer with a marked deficiency of potash, but whether this fact is sufficient in itself to account for the susceptibility of the tobacco to fungous attack remains to be proved. Mr. Barron was advised to experiment in this direction by increasing the percentage of potash, using for this purpose either the sulphate, or else cottonhull ashes, and to compare the results so obtained with those obtained on an adjoining plot fertilized with the low-grade fertilizer analyzed by us. Until more definite information is obtained on this point some advantage would doubtless result from careful attention to drainage, in case the soil is inclined to be soggy, and the burning of all refuse from a diseased crop. Meanwhile, it would be well for Connecticut tobacco-growers to be on the watch for this leaf-disease and to report it immediately upon its appearance, in order that preventive measures may be instituted without delay. NOTES ON THE SO-CALLED "SHELLING" OF GRAPES. BY WM. C. STURGIS. Although the condition of grapes known as "shelling" has been carefully investigated and its probable cause assigned,* the trouble has been reported once in this State and it therefore seems advisable to comment briefly upon its character, cause and possible prevention. The single case reported occurred during the past summer at Cheshire on a row of Niagara grapes, and was first noticed about Aug. 20th. The characteristics of the disease are very evident in the fruit. Shelling grapes, at least in the case of green varieties, show a peculiar though indistinct mottling of the surface; the skin is abnormally thick and the whole berry therefore feels harder than healthy berries at the same stage of development; a section of a diseased berry shows a narrow brown zone just beneath the skin; the taste of shelling grapes is noticeably insipid as compared with the tart, astringent flavor of the unripe but healthy fruit; finally, the woody tissues of the stem which enter the fruit and, in the case of sound berries, remain attached to the stem when the berry is pulled off, are so far weakened in * Lodeman in Cornell Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., Bull. 76, pp. 413-440, Nov., 1894. the case of shelling grapes that the weight of the berry is sufficient to cause them to separate from the stem, and the berries fall to the ground, leaving the end of the stem perfectly even, "as if cut with a knife." This dropping of the fruit from two to three weeks before maturing is a characteristic symptom of shelling, and may result in very serious loss, a loss emphasized by the fact that the trouble does not confine itself to certain bunches on a vine leaving others unaffected, but affects portions, generally the end, of every bunch. After a most exhaustive consideration of all the possible causes of shelling, Lodeman concludes (1. c., p. 452) that neither insects nor fungi are to be considered as a primary cause of the trouble; that the condition of the soil, apart from the supply of available plant-food, does not exercise any marked influence on the degree of shelling; that meteorological conditions are not primarily responsible for it; and that it is not due to a lack of phosphoric acid. Among the agencies which may increase or favor the diseased condition, Lodeman mentions parasitic fungi, which weaken the function of the leaves; a weakening of the plant due to overbearing; the drawing of nourishment from the fruit by the overproduction of wood; an excessive supply of nitrogen emphasized by too much tillage; prolonged drought or excessive rains following drought; and a poorly developed root-system resulting in a general weakening of the plant. The condition of the food-supply as regards potash seems to be the only remaining factor to be considered, and Lodeman is inclined to attribute the primary cause of shelling to a lack of that element. This view is in a measure substantiated by observation and experiment. The conditions under which shelling occurred at Cheshire are in line with Lodeman's conclusions. The vines have occupied for nine years a piece of land formerly used for a nursery; the soil is light, well-drained and naturally dry; the only fertilizer which has been applied has been occasional odds and ends, such as waste mortar, cellar sweepings, etc. Under these conditions one would suspect a lack of potash in the soil. The general condition of the vines was poor. The leafage was not over-abundant and was badly affected with downy mildew; the crop was fair, apart from the shelling, but fully half the fruit had dropped from the latter There had been abundance of rain throughout the season, a horse-cultivator had been used two or three times, but no work had been done with the hoe and the ground was decidedly weedy. cause. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE IX. Stems of Asparagus affected with "Rust," caused by the fungus Puccinia Asparagi, DC. The black sori are seen occupying lines and patches on the stems. Slightly reduced. |