DISEASES OF PLANTS. 149 



362). — As a result of extended investipif ions the author is led to believe that 

 Brzezinski is mistakeu in considering Myxomonafi hetie a cause of the heart 

 and dry rots of beets. In his investigation the author was unable to find 

 this organism in any cases of beet diseases studied. A preliminary account of 

 his conclusions has been previously given (E. S. R., 20, p. 247). 



The distribution of the cause of root disease through beet seed, W. Busse 

 and P. Ulrich {Arh. K. Biol. Anst. Land ii.. Forstw., 6 (UlOH), No. 3, pp. 373- 

 384). — In investigating beet seed as a means of the distribution of the spores of 

 beet diseases, the authors found that practically every lot of seed examined, 

 no matter from what source obtained, contained infected material capable of 

 causing diseased plants. Of the fungi observed on beet seeds Phoina beta' was 

 by far the most common. 



Chrysophlyctis endobiotica and other Chytridiaceae, T. .Johnson (Sci. Proc. 

 Roy. Dublin »S'oe., n. set:, 12 {WOU), Ao. ///, pp. 131-14'i, pis. 3).— The author 

 reports having found in Ireland in October, 1908, specimens of warty potatoes 

 affected by C. endobiotica. An examination of the diseased material showed 

 that the trouble was not confined to the tubers, but also affected all parts of 

 the underground stem. 



Notes are given on the life history of this fungus and its relationship to 

 other members of the group, together with a brief account of methods for the 

 prevention of the disease. On account of the peculiarities of the family of 

 fungi as a group, it is believed that wet, undrained potato fields favor the spread 

 of this disease. Experiments are being conducted in treating the warty tubers 

 with fungicides to determine the possibility of destroying the fungi, but for 

 the present the author thinks it desirable to destroy all tubers where the fun- 

 gus is obviously present. 



The fungi causing beet tumor (Urophlyetis Icproides) and flax yellowing 

 (Asterocystis radicis) are said to belong to the same group as that causing the 

 warty disease of potatoes. 



The dry rot of potatoes, Sibyl Longman (Jour. Linn. Sac. [London], Bot., 

 39 {1909), No. 270, pp. 120-129, pi. 1). — Investigations have been carried on to 

 determine whether the fungus of dry rot of potatoes (Fusarium solani) is 

 capable of inducing disease in the growing potato plant, and whether the dry 

 rot can be induced in potato tubeis directly by inoculation with spores, as it is 

 coumionly supposed dry rot usually follows wet rot. 



As a result of the study, the author has reached the conclusion that F. solani 

 is not only a true parasite of the resting tuber but also is capable of attacking 

 the growing potato plant. In regard to the second question, there appears to 

 be no time relation between an outbreak of dry rot and one of wet rot, and it 

 is shown that dry rot may be induced by inoculating healthy potato tubers 

 with cultures of the dry-rot fungus. 



Experiments were made to determine the possibility of disinfecting the po- 

 tato tubers by heating, but it was found that this was impracticable, as the 

 death temperature of the fungus is higher than that of the potato. 



Notes on a scab fung'us of potatoes, A. Eichinger (Ann. Mycol., 7 (1909), 

 No. 4, pp. 356-364, figs. 3). — Investigations are reported on the life history of 

 ^pondylocladium atrovirens, a fungus that causes a kind of scab of potatoes. 

 Particular attention is given to the germination of the spores and to the 

 development of the mycelium. 



Observations on powdery potato scab (Spongospora subterranea), T. John- 

 son (Sci. Proc. Roy. Dublin 8oc., n. scr., 12 (1909), No. 16, pp. 165-174, pis. 

 3). — Notes are given on the fungus causing a form of potato scab which the 

 author calls " powdery " scab. He quotes the opinions of diflierent iuvesti- 



