REPORT OF THE BOTANIST.

Until April 1st, 1891, the division of Botany was united with the division of Entomology, and was under the charge of Mr. Clarence M. Weed. I was then his assistant. On the resignation of Mr. Weed, I was made Acting Botanist, and later, the Botanist of the Station. I did not assume charge of the work however until May 11th.

The work of the division during the past year has mainly been confined to a careful study of the fungous diseases of plants, and in one case of insects, especial attention being paid to those of economic importance. Briefly stated the diseases investigated are as follows: The diseases of the raspberry and blackberry, including the discovery of the occurrence of an undescribed bacterial disease affecting the Marlborough raspberry and the Snyder blackberry; apple scab; plum pockets; lettuce mildew; Empusa Aphidis; an undescribed bacterial disease of oats; a bacterial disease of turnips; an apparently new disease of fall wheat; and a septoria on Lactuca scariola, which to my knowledge has not been reported on that host.

The results of some these investigations have been published, the remainder are not yet ready for publication.

A descriptive catalogue of the Rusts of Ohio is also begun, and will be continued until the list is complete. Numerous letters of inquiry have been answered. Additions have been made to the herbarium from time to time. The specimens are being mounted, labeled and arranged this winter, preliminary to making out a catalogue of them.

Considerable time has been devoted to making drawings, charts, etc., for the other departments; and some time has been taken up with library work.

Respectfully submitted.

FREDA DETMERS,

Botanist.

REPORT OF THE METEOROLOGIST.

The weather of the year has been marked by the absence of extremes of temperature; high average temperature during December; nearly normal rainfall; late frosts, both in spring and fall; and an unusual amount of clear weather, especially during September, October and December.

Severe frosts occurring as late as the middle of May, seriously damaged the fruit crop. On the other hand the lateness of the first autumn frosts allowed the corn crop to ripen and all late crops to be well secured.

Cold, cloudy weather and frequent rains prevented any spring working of the ground until the last week of April.

Through the growing season the weather was mostly favorable. Harvest weather was fair. Corn suffered slightly from lack of rain in August and September, but ripened well in the bright weather. Fall pastures were short on account of the drouth during August, September and the first half of October.

The danger of a deficiency in the water supply for winter was removed by abundant rain in November.

EXPLANATION OF TABLES.

The following tables contain statistics of temperature, rainfall, etc., for the year, and are compiled from data obtained by daily observations, made at 7 A. M., 2 P. M. and 9 P. M. T stands for "trace," less than 0.01 inch of daily rainfall. Temperature is given in degrees, Fahrenheit.

Table I shows the daily rainfall at the Station during the year in inches and hundredths.

Table II shows the daily mean temperature for 1891, and the normal mean temperature for each day, computed from nine years' record.

Table III gives a comparison of the monthly mean temperature, humidity and rainfall for the Station and the State, with the nine-year averages for the same.

Table IV contains the record of atmospheric pressure; the mean temperature; the highest and lowest temperature, with the range of temperature for each month; the number of clear, fair, cloudy and rainy days; the rainfall and prevailing direction of wind for both the Experiment Station and State.

Table V shows the rainfall at the Station for each month during the last eight years.

Table VI contains the principal points of interest on the temperature, state of weather, and rainfall during the same period, and a grand summary for eight years.

I am indebted to the Ohio State Meteorological Bureau for the daily normal temperatures in table II, and for the statistics on the weather of the State.

METEOROLOGY.-TABLE I.-DAILY RAINFALL AT THE OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION

FOR 1891.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. June July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

METEOROLOGY.-TABLE III.-COMPARISON OF MEAN TEMPERATURE MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND RAINFALL FOR 1891.