348 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Experiiuonls nrr ri'portoil in troatiiiK beets for the destruction of the Phoma 

 Iiycnirtia in which the seed was treated on 2 successive days for 10 minutes with 

 water heateti to 57° C. On account of the trouble In handling, this method is 

 not consideretl practicable. Metliods better adapted to extensive use are 

 seed treatments in which the seed is soaked for various lengths of time In 

 solutions of carbolic acid, formalin, Bordeaux mixture, copper-soda mixture, 

 and copper sulphate solution. For soil treatment the application of lime has 

 been reconjmcndcd. but the author says its use is not always followed by good 

 H'sults, the crop in some cases being injured. 



The orobanche on tobacco, Constancis {Jour. A (jr. Prat., n. ser., 18 (1909), 

 yo. JiS, pp. 51)5-567, fig. J). — A desc-ription given of I'heUpwa ramosa, a pheno- 

 gamic parasite of tobacco, hemp, and tomatoes, and sometimes occuiTing on 

 maize and grapevines. 



The parasite is particularly troublesome in the southern part of France and 

 is more abundant in dry years than in rainy seasons. In general it makes 

 its appearance in the latter part of July or the first half of August, growing 

 upon the roots of the tobacco phint. Its presence on the plant can be recog- 

 nized by the discoloration, feeble growth, etc. The infection is through the 

 presence of seed in the soil or in tobacco seed or through seeds scattered by 

 insects, winds, or birds. 



To prevent the occurrence of this pest the author advises the destruction of 

 the orobanche plant before the seeds mature, deep plowing as soon as the 

 tobacco has been harvested, and early seeding of tobacco in soil which is made 

 as rich as possible so as to cause the crop to grow rapidly and become physio- 

 logically resistant. 



Deterioration in wheat yields due to root rots and blight-producing dis- 

 eases, H. L. BoLLEY {N. Dak. Fanner, 11 (IHOD), ^o. 5, pp. 5, 6). — The author 

 states as his belief that the chief cause of the general reduction in yields of 

 wheat in the Red River Valley of the Dakotas and Minnesota is due to the 

 action of parasitic fungi, causing root rot, wilting and blighting of the straw 

 and heads, and is not to be wholly attributed to the deterioration of the avail- 

 able plant food in the soil. 



The aecidial stage of Calyptospora columnaris, W. P. Fraser {Science, n. 

 Her., 30 (1909), No. 779, pp. 81 J,, S/,T).— The author notes the collection of the 

 fiecidial stage of the blueberry rust {C. columnariH) on AMen balsarnea in July, 

 1909. A Periderniium was found on the leaves of A. halsaniea which agreed 

 with the description of P. columnare, and Dr. J. C. Arthur determined the 

 material as sent him as the aicidial stage of the blueberry rust. It is said 

 that this is the first time it has been collected in North America. 



The American gooseberry mildew and its distribution in East Prussia, 

 A. Lemcke (.4/&. Landiv. Kammer Ostpreussen, A'os. 20, pp. 5-lJt; 24, pp. 

 3-SJf). — A description is given of the American gooseberry mildew {Sphcero- 

 fheca morK-ura'), and its distribution in East Prussia in 1907 and 1908 is 

 traced. 



Combating the gooseberry mildew, A. Lemcke {Separate from Georgine, 

 Land u. For.sttr. Ztg., 1909, Xo. 39, pp. 6). — Directions are given for combating 

 the American gooseberry mildew, which include the collection and destruction 

 of all diseased foliage, twigs, etc., and spraying the shrubs during the summer 

 season. It is stated that Bordeaux mixture has not proved very efficient in 

 controlling this disease and in its stead a one-half per cent solution of potas- 

 sium sulphid is recommended for use. The si)raying should be carried on from 

 May to July at intervals of about S days. 



Further studies on the callus disease of raspberries, T. Wulff {Ark. Bot., 

 8 {li)09), No. //, Art. Id, pp. 6),— In a previous publication (E. S. R., 20, p. 831) 



