The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-03-26
FUNGI IN MONTANA.
Inspector Brandaeee Has Commenced
a Scientific Investigation.

ihSPSSNO' ~ aHdd9SS sldS commenced
Scientific Investigation.
E. N. Brandagee of Helena, inspec-
tor at large under the state board of
Horticulture, has commenced an in
vestigation of fungi in this state,
which promises to be of the utmost
Importance to the fruitgrower and
farmer. Mr.. Brandagee has made
'some independent Investigations of
an original nature and has been able
to add to the information of the de-
partment of agriculture as to some
of the fungus diseases of the Rocky
mountain region tnat has puzzled sci
entists in the past. If not Interrupted
in his investigations, he proposes to
continue the work all the year or
longer and will, if possible, maintain
collection of specimens in quarters
at the new state house, provided
room is given to the board of horti-
culture for such purpose. The result
of his inquiries will be given out
from time to time and may be the
means of saving horticulturists and
agriculturists large sums.
Mr.. Brandagee will not devote his
whole time to the stody of fungi, but
he proposes to make that a speciality
Speaking today of the importance of
the subject, he said:
almost every kind of plant has it's
enemies among the fungi. Tree
trunks are preyed upon by polyporus,
which prefers dead wood, but causes
much destruction to the living The
toad-stools at the bottom and on the
trunks of trees contain the fruiting
spores of this genus. Among the cul-
tivated crops fungi cause damage
each year, which must be estimated
rusts of grains and alfalfa and clover
are well known in the blighted hopes
of the farmer. Equally important
are potato diseases, one of which has
devastated Ireland more than once
with famine and all of which coop
crate with the Colorado beetle to
make the farmer poor.
Strawberries, raspberries and cur
rants have their peculiar diseases.
Fruit trees and their fruits are sub
ject to a great many ills of this type.
From many of the parasitic rots of
fruit Montana will likely be exempt.
| do not anticipate that monilia with
become troublesome in our dry eli
mate. 1t has appeared in Washing
ton and Oregon and is capable of
sending whole carloads of peaches
and plums to the dump as the work
of a single moist evening"
There are two fungi which are of
Importance to apple growers and to
which attention should be called.
believe that the state is in immediate
danger of invasion by them from the
west. The first is apple tree anthrac-
nose, which will show itself in
contagious dying out of the limbs
and perhaps entire trees. This is
very prevalent in Washington and Ore
gon, and when it appears in Montana
the tree on which it shows itself
should be promptly burned. The Sec
ond is apple scab, a fungus disease
of the leaf and fruit and which makes
dark blotches on them. This Is a seri-
GUS disease. 1t has become very com
mon in Idaho. 1t may be controlled
by Bordeaux mixture spraying, but
its advent into Montana should be
promptly met with determination.
, "A fugus is plant and a plant of
. one of the lowest types. 1t feeds on
uead matter or on living.
THE fungi of the first division are
called saprophitic. They are well
represented by the common molds
and mildews and it is q mercy that
these generally are not poisonous.
/ Mold on the domestic jelly may be
| eaten without danger if one so de-
, slres. So can an ordinary rotten
apple Cheese mold is a delicacy to
; some epicures. Not so, however, the
: mold on bread, which is poisonous
and should always be avoided.
Most of the mushrooms feed ex.
clusively on dead organic matter and
| are sacrophytic. Many of them are
4 edible and make good foods, but
t among their number are some OF
9 the most deadly poisons known. The
S chief of these is the Destroying An
: gel The poisonous principle of the
angel is known as phallin, one of the
} tox-albumens, the poisons found in
/ rattlesnakes and other venomous ami
: mails and the poisons which produce
4 death in cholera and diphtheria
e The poisonous mushrooms were
a the plants gathered by witches of ole
e in the dark of the moon and applied
/ externally were supposed to rid yol
e of warts, and applied internally t.
e rid one of his enemies Today the,
l. cause in the United States more
t teaths than rattlesnakes and SHOULD
7 be as well known. ignorance is no
Ii always bliss to the mushroom eater
S But then, after all, that depends, Oh
Y his previous life.