Begin Page 1. Wisconsin Pathogen Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin Madison, April 30, 1932 R. E. Vaughan, Editor Since the last issue of the Pathogen, many events of interest have occurred. Professor and Mrs. L. R. Jones have recently returned from a wonderful. trip to the Orient upon which an item is added below. Another point of interest is the new building for agronomy and plant pathology, with six new greenhouse units in three ranges which were completed the first semester. I am enclosing a floor plan, and a photograph of the building which will aid you in visualizing our increased facilities. The news items are grouped about the staff members, present graduate students and former students. Several changes of address are to be noted. Professor and Mrs. Jones spent the first semester of this year in the Orient. They started westward the first of last August, stopping to inspect the fine crop of Fusarium-resistant cabbage seed being harvested by the Puget Sound growers for the Wisconsin Cabbage Seed Company. From Seattle they took a Japanese motor-ship to Yokohama. The time was about equally divided between Japan (including Korea) , China (including Manchuria) and the Island colonies (Philippines and Hawaii). Practically all of. the major scientific institutions of these several countries were visited, under personal guidance of former departmental students almost everywhere except in China where introductory letters opened all doors. Nothing interfered with scientific interest or pleasure. Everything favored, sea, weather, personal health; and even military maneuvers. Every former participant in Wisconsin "phytopath" seminaries was found happily busy with professional work. These included in Japan: Doctors Fukushi and Tochinai at Sapporo; Hemmi, Kyota; Takahashi, Tsu; Hiura, Gifu; Nakata, Fukuoka; Nakashima, Suigen (Korea). Others whose acquaintance enriched the opportunities were the founders and senior leaders of Japanese plant pathology, Doctors Shirai and Kusano of the Imperial University of Tokyo and Doctors Miyabe and Ito of the Imperial University at Sapporo. In the Philippines similar hospitalities were extended at Manila by Doctors Humphrey, Teodoro and Fajardo, and at Los Banos by Doctor Ocfemia and Dean Gonzalez (Genetics). In Honolulu chief attention was given to the work with pineapple. The general pathological branches of this work were under Doctors Linford and Mehrlich (Physiology) with nematology under Dr. Godfrey. Others from Wisconsin in Agricultural Science were Doctors Magistad (Soils), Allen (Bacteriology), Henke (Agronomy), Wiltse (Agronomy). Some weeks were spent in China. Here the only native scientist met who had worked in our Wisconsin group was H. W. Li (Genetics). He was handling Genetics and Pathology at the National University, Mukden, Manchuria, until this was disorganized by the Japanese invasion of September 18, 1931, when he returned to Peiping. The most active developments in mycology and in plant pathology were found in Southern China. The established leaders met were Professor F. L. Tai, and Doctor S. G. Teng, Nanking, and Doctor C. Tu, End Page 1. Begin Page 2. Canton. Owing to the enormous area of China this work: must remain in the explanatory and similar formative stages for some time. Enroute homeward, visits of one day each were made at Davis, California (Dr. E. E. Wilson, orchard pathology); Los Angeles, where Wisconsin Fusarium resistant China asters are being commercially propagated; Imperial Valley, (lettuce diseases, Dr. Ivan Jagger); Tucson, Arizona (missed Dr. and Mrs. Streets, saw Dr. E. D. Ball); University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, (Dr. Sumner, also Professor C. W. Edgerton). In all these countries one is impressed with the splendid eagerness in research work, the devotion to local service relations, and the keen attention to American ideals and methods. To all these scientists alike, Dr. and Mrs. Jones were greatly indebted for the cordial receptions and courteous guidance which made every day of their journeyings profitable and pleasurable. G. W. Keitt is a tremendously busy man these days. In addition to his work on fruit diseases, he is now Chairman of the Department. He supervises the work of six graduate students, one of whom (D. E. Palmiter) comes up for the final Ph. D. exam. this Spring. He has moved his office one room to the west in what used to be the stenographers' office. The advanced students in fruit diseases now have their desks in the research laboratory on the third floor of the new building; overlooking the rose garden back of the Horticulture Building. J . G. Dickson continues his cooperative relations with the United States Department of Agriculture. He supervises the research world of seven graduate students, four of whom, W. L. Gordon, H. L. Shands, A. L. Smith, and W. H. Tharp, are coming up for Ph. D. and Oliver Smith and Ullstrup for M. S. degrees this semester. He has vacated his old office and moved into the new building along with his staff of government collaborators, Miss Johann, R. G. Shands, and P. E. Hoppe, and their stenographer, Miss Connolly. He was elected vice president of the American Phytopathological Society at the New Orleans meeting. J. C. Walker has recently introduced a new yellows resistant cabbage, the Jersey Queen, which completes the list of late, medium and early varieties that are resistant. The seed growing is supervised by the Wisconsin Cabbage Seed Connery, Inc., Racine. They have recently issued a very attractive illustrated booklet on the seed available of these resistant varieties. Dr. Walker has eight major graduate students specializing in vegetable diseases, four of whom, Anderson, Koch, Ludbrook and Snyder come up for Ph. D. and Mrs. Sammet for M. S. degrees this semester. His office and private laboratory are in the west end of the horticulture building, but a number of his advanced students have moved their desks into the new research laboratory on the third floor of the new building, facing Agricultural Engineering. The United States Department of Agriculture is cooperating with Dr. Walker in a number of his projects. A. J. Riker has his office and laboratory in what used to be the north half of the old graduate laboratory. He gives tire course in Methods of Research, supervises the new graduate general laboratory and has four students majoring in bacterial diseases. One of his students, S. S. Ivanoff, has just passed his Ph. D. exam. and another, Luther Shaw, comes up next month. Dr. and Mrs. Biker are very happy in their new home on the corner of Spooner Street and Prospect Avenue. Mrs. Riker is working with him on his bibliography End Page 2. Begin Page 3. of bacterial diseases and helping Professor Jones with the aster disease project. Wisconsin Research Bulletin 111, "Wisconsin Studies on Aster Diseases and Their Control" has recently been published. James Johnson continues his interest in tobacco diseases from both the practical and professional points of view. He is supervising the work of two graduate students and several government collaborators. One of his students, Karl Koch, comes up for his Ph. D. exam. this semester. Fermentation troubles as well as field diseases are included in his project. Dr. Johnson is an active member of the International Committee on Plant Virus Diseases. E. M. Gilbert collaborates with Dr. Walker in Course 101 in addition to his courses in mycology which are given in the Botany Department. At the winter meetings of the Scientific Societies in New Orleans, Dr. Gilbert was elected President of the New Mycological Society of America. He continues his valuable advisory relations with our grad. students and staff. B. M. Duggar gives his courses in Physiological Methods and Materials and Special Physiology of Pathogenic Fungi and carries important advisory relations with our graduate students and staff. He is continuing his research on the nature of plant viruses. R. E. Vaughan continues in charge of extension activities. He organized and directed the Fifth Canners' Short Course which was held March 9-11 with an attendance of nearly one hundred. The control of potato and grain diseases command must of his attention. Side-lines include an elementary course in plant pathology for long course students not intending to specialize in the subject, and a five-week short course on crop diseases. J. W. Brann continues his interest in potato diseases and potato inspection work with Professor Milward. As a result of John‘s activities some over 20,000 bushels of mosaic-free Triumph seed is available this spring. He conducts a special field laboratory on potato mosaic at Stark’s near Rhinelander in the answer. F. R. Jones has just returned from an alfalfa wilt inspection trip to California. He reports considerable spread of wilt in some of the important crop centers. He was most pleased with the abundant Spring flowers in the desert regions as a result of heavy rains the past winter. Dr. F. R. has his new office and laboratory in the northwest corner room in what was first the horticultural lecture room and later the cereal laboratory. D. H. Palmiter, in charge of the fruit disease laboratory at Sturgeon Bay, left his job long enough last summer to get himself a wife. She was formerly Miss Viola Antholt, Coleman, Wisconsin. E. C. Blodgett, who was Palmiter’s assistant, not to be outdone, went back to his home state, Idaho, and married Miss Ena Foye Calvin. Bertha Miller, who served so faithfully as Departmental Librarian, was obliged to give up her regular work about a year ago. After several weeks of hospital treatment and rest at home, she returned to the library in the summer. Her days were numbered, however, and she passed away in November. As a slight token of appreciation of Miss Miller the staff members and present graduate students have placed in our library the reference work she had felt most needed, a Rand McNally World Atlas. Her sister, Mrs Maude Miller Williamson, now living in Florida, was here during the summer with her children and returned for a few days in November. End Page 3. Begin Page 4. The following list of graduate students specializing in plant pathology together with their home state or country and major problem of investigation, shows the wide drawing power of Wisconsin as a research center and the diversity of problems that are considered. With the increased facilities of the laboratories and greenhouses, they are all glad they came. The only fly in the ointment just now is, can they find a position when they get out. If anyone reading this knows of opportunity, a letter to Dr. Keitt or other staff members will be welcome. Boyle has already returned to his position at Manhattan, Kansas, Gordon to Canada, Murphy to Idaho, and Swingle to Ohio. Boyle passed his Ph. D. exam and had his thesis accepted before he left; Gordon will return to take his examination before June, and the other boys hope to some back next fall to continue their graduate studies. In addition to the majors we have a number of minors from Botany and Agricultural Bacteriology and other departments, who come over every Tuesday afternoon for Seminary. This is the largest ever, and new meets in the cheerful commodious new laboratory on the third floor, north end, of the new wing. Name: Anderson, M. E. Home: Utah Major Problem: The nature of cabbage yellows resistance. Name: Boyle, L. W. Home: N. Dakota Major Problem: Flax wilt. Name: Blodgett, E. C. Home: Idaho Major Problem: Currant and gooseberry leaf spots. Name: Dippenaar, B. J. Home: S. Africa Major Problem: Potato scab. Name: Fitchett, Donald Home: Wisconsin Major Problem: Alfalfa leaf spot. Name: Foster, H. H. Home: Iowa Major Problem: Apple black rot. Name: Gordon, W. L. Home: Canada Major Problem: Oat leaf rust. Name: Grant, T. J. Home: Massachusetts Major Problem: Tobacco mosaic. Name: Ivanoff, S. S. Home: Bulgaria Major Problem: Corn wilt. Name: Koch, Karl Home: Kansas Major Problem: Potato virus diseases. Name: Larson, R. H. Home: Wisconsin Major Problem: Cabbage club root. Name: Lindgren, R. M. Home: Minnesota Major Problem: Wood blue stain and its control. Name: Ludbrook, W. V. Home: S. Australia Major Problem: Verticillium diseases. Name: Magie, R. O. Home: New Jersey Major Problem: Cherry leaf soot. Name: Murphy, Albert Home: Idaho Major Problem: Onion storage disease. Name: Nusbaum, C. J. Home: Oregon Major Problem: Apple rust. Name: Palmiter, D. H. Home: Oregon Major Problem: Apple scab. Name: Pierce, W. H. Home: Idaho Major Problem: Bean mosaic. Name: Pinckard, J. A. Home: California Major Problem: Olive knot. Name: Ryker, T. C. Home: Louisiana Major Problem: Celery wilt. Name: Sallans, B. J. Home: Canada Major Problem: Helminthosporium foot rot of grain. Name: Sammet, A. R. Home: Wisconsin Major Problem: The nature of pea wilt resistance. Name: Scheffer, T. C. Home: Washington Major Problem: Rel. decay to wood chem. and physiology. Name: Shands, H. L. Home: South Carolina Major Problem: Barley stripe. Name: Shaw, Luther Home: North Carolina Major Problem: Apple fire blight. Name: Smith, A. L. Home: New Mexico Major Problem: Corn diseases (Diplodia). Name: Smith, Oliver Home: Utah Major Problem: Joint with Agronomy. Name: Snyder, W. C. Home: California Major Problem: Pea wilt and foot rot. Name: Swingle, R. U. Home: Ohio Major Problem: Apple storage rot. Name: Tharp, W. H. Home: Montana Major Problem: Grain physiology and treatment. Name: Ullstrup, A. J. Home: Wisconsin Major Problem: Grain Gibberella root rot. End Page 4. Begin Page 5. Myron Backus ’31 is spending the year at the New York Botanical Garden with Dr. Dodge. He has a National Research Fellowship. He is continuing his cytology studies on cherry leaf spot and other fungi. Before leaving Madison he was quietly married to Miss Ingrid Simley. C. W. Bennett ‘26, with Dr. Carsner at Riverside, California on the sugar beet curly top problems, is reported to have taken a wife last summer. Congratulations! L. M. Blank '30, is located at Madison with Dr. Walker, continuing his studies on onion diseases. He and Mrs. Blank are very happy over a baby girl born last January. R. M. Caldwell, '29 in charge of rust investigations with the U. S. D. A. located at Purdue, was married last September to Margaret Dunlap, a Nebraska girl whom he met in the graduate school at Madison. E. E. Clayton '20 formerly with the N. Y. (Geneva) Experiment Station located on Long Island has transferred to the U. S. Department of Agriculture with Dr. Garner on tobacco disease investigations . He Spent from June to December in our laboratory with Dr. Johnson and is now in the Washington, D. C. laboratory. S. P. Doolittle '18 reports the birth of a daughter, Margaret Anne, on April 23, 1932. M. W. Gardner '18 has recently resigned as head of the Botany Department at Purdue and accepted a position as Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. F. R. Jones saw him last week and reports that he is becoming adjusted to his new surroundings as rapidly as can be expected. He will work with Dean Hutchison toward the development of graduate work in plant pathology along the lines that have been so successfully followed at Wisconsin. J. M. Hamilton ‘29 is with the N. Y. (Geneva) Experiment Station in charge of apple scab investigations with a summer laboratory at Poughkeepsie in the heart of the Hudson River apple section. He has Just published a research bulletin on his studies. M. Harris who took his Ph. D. exam., majoring in corn diseases, the first semester has accepted a position with the California State Department of Agriculture at Sacramento. It is his job to answer the plant disease letters that come in to the department. E. M. Hildebrand '31 who finished his Ph. D. work last spring and has been continuing with his crown-gall studies since that time, has just resigned to go to Cornell, Ithaca, New York, as Assistant Professor specializing in orchard pathology. Before leaving Madison he had a quiet wedding. Miss Hazel Eichler, Madison, Wis. was the lucky girl. E. E. Honey '28 who has spent several years in Brazil is been in this country. His temporary address is in care of the Boyce Thompson Institute, Yonkers, New York. E. E. Hubert ‘23 is acting Dean of the School of Forestry, University of Idaho, Moscow. There has just come to our desk: a new book of his, "An Outline of Forest Pathology". This is from the press of John Wiley and Sons. End Page 5. Begin Page 6. Geo. Jansen ‘25, plant pathologist, Agronomy Department, University of Arkansas, died January 31, 1932 from general blood poisoning following a carbuncle. Carl Lindegren (M. S. ‘23) spent a day here recently. He was called home to Rhinelander by the death of his father. Carl is taking his doctorate at the University of California this June; his problem is on the genetics Neurospora. L. E. Melhaus ‘12, Head of the Botany and Plant Pathology Department, Ames, Iowa, and his associate, C. S. Reddy ‘23 drove over to Madison one weekend in November. They had conferences with several members of our department and inspected the new laboratories and greenhouses. Earl S. Renard ‘30 who majored in Genetics and minored in Plant Pathology studying pea rogues and diseases has just returned from six months in New Zealand. He took with him some of his best wilt-resistant selections of peas and brought back an increase of tenfold or better. E. A. Stodyk '29 formerly at Kansas is now with the Division of Agricultural Economics and Giannini Foundation, University of California, Berkeley. With his associate, C. H. West, he has published a book, "The Farm Board", from the press of the Macmillan Company. A. B. Stout ‘10 Director of the Laboratories, The New York Botanical Garden is still hunting for the perfect stage of the sclerotium disease of meadow grasses, in Maine and other states. This parasite was the subject of the first Wisconsin research bulletin associated with a doctor's thesis in mycology and plant pathology published in 1911. C. B. Sumner; '31 who got his Ph. D. last spring, is now assistant plant pathologist at the Louisiana Experiment Station, Baton Rouge. He was back in Madison for a few days at Christmas time, when he took himself a wife. She was formerly Miss Eugenia Heinze, Madison, Wis. E. E. Tompkins ‘25 is enroute home from Sumatra via. Europe. The low price of rubber has caused the Goodyear Rubber Plantations Germany at Dolok Merangir to discontinue all their research projects. Tommy writes that he and Helen hope to stop a while in Switzerland and get back some of the pep they lost in the tropics. F. L. Wellman ‘28 who spent some time as pathologist with the United Fruit Company in Honduras is now working on mosaic of celery and other crops with Dr. S. P. Doolittle located in Florida in the winter and Washington, D. C. in the summer. He is spending a few days in Madison this spring arranging for cooperative work on mosaic studies in the summer. E. E. Wilson ‘28 associate plant pathologist, California Experiment Station, spent a couple of weeks with us last Sinner working with Dr. Keitt on a joint cherry disease manuscript. V. H. Young '16 was here in August. He has since announced his marriage. End Page 6. Begin Page 7. Visitors Dr. T. H. Harrison, New South Wales, was here for a week the middle of April. He is enroute home from England where he has been studying. Dr. L. M. Massey, Head of the Plant Pathology Department of Cornell University spent a week-end with us in November. Professor Seward, Cambridge University, England, visited here about the middle of April. He was President of the Fifth International Botanical Congress at Kew last year. While in Madison he gave a convocation address, and advised with our staff regarding some of our common problems. Dr. W. W. Robbins, Dean of the Graduate School and Professor of Botany at the University of Missouri, Columbia, was here April 25 for a. convocation address and a number of staff conferences. Postscript Just as the letter material left my hands we received word of the death of Mr. George Hutton, for so many years the farm manager. He had resigned about a month ago because of heart trouble and had moved with Mrs. Hutton to a cottage on Allen Street, Madison. He is survived by Mrs. Hutton and two daughters. End Page 7.