848 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



to determine their susceptibility. Tlie varieties tested in 1911 were Aberlady 

 Early, Snowdrop, Southern Queen, Sutton Supreme, Sutton Abundance, Chis- 

 wicli Favorite, Davie Laird, Suttou White City, Crofter, and Provost. 



The season was not a very favorable one for potatoes, but the results ob- 

 tained on the whole were very satisfactory, and every one of the varieties proved 

 to be disease resistant as a rule. 



Potato spraying in 1909 and 1910, N. J. Giddings (West Virginia Sta. Rpt 

 San Jos6 Scale, etc., 1909-10, pp. 18-22, figs. 6). — The results are given of ex- 

 periments carried on at Morgantown in 1909 and at Reedsville in 1910 for the 

 control of potato diseases by spraying with Bordeaux mixture. 



The field in 1909 received 3 applications of Bordeaux mixture, and the mar- 

 ketable crop as a result of the spraying was increased by 53.5 per cent. In 

 1910, 4 applications were given the potato field, with the result that the crop 

 was increased, due to the spraying, 39.3 per cent. 



The conclusions drawn by the author from these experiments are that careful 

 potato spraying in West Virginia is profitable, and that the standard method 

 often recommended for the preparation of Bordeaux mixtui'e for use on potatoes 

 is not so important as has usually been supix)sed. 



Spraying potatoes, A. J. Finn (Agr. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 22 {1911), No. 9, pp. 

 808-811/, fig. 1). — An account is given of a number of experiments for the con- 

 trol of potato blight by the use of Bordeaux mixture. Different plats were 

 sprayed with strong Bordeaux mixture, from 2 to 5 applications being given 

 during the season, and gains of from 27 to 90 bu. per acre are attributed to the 

 use of the fungicide. 



Directions are given for the preparation and application of the mixture, and 

 difiierent forms of spraying apparatus are briefly described. 



A review of literature relating to insect and fungus pests of the sugar beet, 

 A. Stift (Bl. ZuckerriihenMu, 18 {1911), Nos. 2, pp. 21-24; 5, pp. 81-8J,; 7, pp. 

 112-115). — A summary is given of some of the more important contributions in 

 1910 to the literature of sugar-beet pests. 



Biochemical study of the curly-top disease of sugar beets, H. H. Bunzkl 

 {Ahs. in Science, n. scr., 35 {1912), No. 897, p. 389). — The results are given of 

 the measurements of the oxidase in diseased and healthy beets, on leaves as 

 well as roots, and under various conditions and stages of development. The re- 

 sults obtained indicate that the diseased leaves have a higher oxidase content 

 than the healthy ones, and this was confirmed in field investigations. The gen- 

 eral result of the experiments indicates that the oxidase content is higher in the 

 leaves in all cases where the normal growth of the plant has been interfered 

 with, whether the retardation of growth is brought about by excessive drought, 

 excessive watering of the soil, the curly-top disease, or other diseases. 



Observations on the smut disease of sugar cane, S. K. Basu {Dept. Agr. 

 Bengal. Quart. Jour., 5 {1911). No. 2, pp. 10^-107). — Notes are given on the 

 smut disease of sugar cane caused by Ustilago sacchari. This fungus produces 

 large quantities of black spores on the surface of the diseased shoots which are 

 sometimes prolonged into whip-like structures and are readily recognized in the 

 cane fields. 



Observations were made on a number of varieties grown in the experimental 

 tract, and while the disease could hardly be called epidemic, yet on one variety, 

 Khari, 80 diseased canes were observed in 38 stools. All the seed cane that was 

 planted had been previously treated with Bordeaux mixture to reduce the 

 possibility of infection. On account of the presence of such a large amount of 

 disease from treated canes the author recommends the uprooting and burning 

 of all infected plants and the exercising of great care in the selection of seed 

 cane. 



