MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. ^.30 



hiulior rather than lower than the percentage given. On the other hand, it is 

 believed that the figures for loose smut are approximately an average condi- 

 tion for the state, since at the time of taking records the percentage of loose 

 smut could readily be obtained. It was noted again this year that the amount 

 of loose smut varied with the part of the field, those parts most subjected to 

 winter injury showing the lowest amount of loose smut. It is noteworthy 

 also that the amount of loose smut during this season was less than that 

 found in other years, while winter killing in fields was more pronounced. In 

 another place' the writer has suggested that plants affected with loose smut 

 are more subject to winter killing than normal plants. In no other way was 

 the varying percentage in the same field correlated with exposed location to 

 be explained. The correlation of the figures for the survey with the severe 

 winter injury is also corroborative of this view. Furthermore, the comparison 

 of Michigan losses from loose smut with that of other states, notably, Indiana, 

 shows our loss to be as a rule only slight as compared with their 10, 15 and 

 20% infestations. 



An interesting case was found in Muskegon County, where a field of 

 Goens Wheat showed 5% loose smut. Ked Rock nearby showed only a trace. 

 Neither was injured by winter to any extent. Goens Wheat was a variety 

 noted for its susceptibility in a previous publication." 



In a single township in Hillsdale County an excessive amount of loose 

 smut was discovered. Careful inquiry and search failed to find any severe 

 outbreak in any other township of flie county, and survey showed 1, 2 or at 

 most 5% in the fields. 



In Heading Township, however, in one community fields showing 25, ,'{:!, 

 10, 10, 25%, were foinid. Six other farmers reported heavy loss. 1mi( figures 

 were not obtained. In this area winter injury was not at all severe. Asid«> 

 from the relation to winter injury no suggestion foi- the occurrence <tf tliis 

 locK-^e smut focus can be given. 



Scab in cereals and the attending i>roblems, corn root rot played a rela- 

 tively unimportant role in Michigan in 1918. In one or two previous years 

 wheat .scab had aroused considerable concern and from 5 to 10% of the heads 

 had been found affected, and in there the blasting affected more than an occa- 

 sional spikelet, since a half or an entire head might be attacked. 



It may be pointed out that Michigan .systems of agriculture wliich make 

 the planting of wheat after wheat or after corn very unusual arc responsible 

 in part for the low percentage of scab. In addition, favorable weather at time 

 of heading is doubtless of prime importance. Dry conditions at this time 

 mean little or no scab, while musty, rainy weather induces much scab. 



Scab was found upon barley, rye, wheat, and quack gra.ss this y(>ar. No 

 disease has been found upon oats. Houbtle-ss, the paniculate form of licud 

 favors drying and is less likely to lead to the establishment of the fungus. 



''Coons, G. H., and Spragg, F. A. Phytopathology 8 :69-70, 1918. 



