552 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



garden, fniit garden and orchard, vinery and conservatory, ornamental shrub- 

 ))ery, forest trees, and field crops. These accounts are reprinted from the Journal 

 of the Royal Horticultural Society (E. S. R., 14, p. 1090; 15, pp. 269, (J89 ; IT, 

 I». LIS). 



Cereal smuts and their propagation, T. Johnson (8cL Prog. Ticentleth 

 Cent.. 1 (1906), No. 1, pp. 137-l.'i9). — A summary of information is given relat- 

 ing to the more important grain smuts and notes are given regarding their prop- 

 agation. The methods of infection by the different smuts are described at some 

 length, and the use of fungicides for preventing smuts is commented upon, the 

 remarks being based upon the methods of infection. 



For the oat snuit seed treatment is vei-y efficient, as the infection takes place 

 in the seedling stage of the plant, but with the wheat smut (Ustihifjo tritici) and 

 the barley smut {U. honlc'i) the author claims that treatment with fungicides 

 is of little avail, as the infection takes place during the flowering stages of the 

 jilants. For the prevention of smut of maize fungicides are valuable, as the 

 infection is local and the presence of the fungicide on the plant prevents the 

 germination of the adhering si)ores. 



Oat smut and its prevention, O. Appel and G. Gassneb (Deut. Landw. 

 Presse, 33 (1906), No. 89, pp. 704, 70.5. fl<i. 1).—A description is given of the 

 smut of oats due to Vstilago aveiur, and for its prevention the author describes 

 the method of seed treatment with formaldehyde and the hot-water method. 

 An account is given of a patented apparatus which is said to simplify the 

 methods of hot-water treatment. Brief notes are given on the form of smut 

 due to Vstilago levis, and for its prevention the methods described for the other 

 species are recommended. 



The physiology of the parasite of sore shin of cotton, W. L. Balls (Year- 

 bouk Klicdiv. Agr. Hoc. Valro, 1905, pp. 171-195, pis. 2). — A study is reported of 

 the sterile fungus described by Atkinson in Alabama College Station Bulletin 41 

 (E. S. R., 4, p. 832), which the author has found present and causing consider- 

 able injury in the cotton fields of Egypt. The characteristic appearance of the 

 disease and its economic importance are described, after which notes are given 

 on the fungus, its appearance in cultures, its temperature relations, pai*a- 

 sitism, etc. 



The author states that the Egyptian sore shin is identical with the disease 

 known in this country, and the physiology of the parasite is relatively simple. 

 Further studies are to be carried on as to the morphology of the organism, soil 

 conditions, causes of irregular distribution, and means for prevention. 



"Black root" disease of cotton, R. I. Smith and A. C. Lewis (Ga. Bd. 

 Ent. Bui. 22, pp. 237-275, figs. 12). — An account is given of the black root or 

 wilt of cotton due to Ncocosinoftpora rasiiifecta, which is becoming very trouble- 

 some in parts of Georgia. 



After describing the cause of the disease, distribution, losses, etc., the authors 

 consider means for I'educing the los^. It is reconunended that diseased plants 

 should be dug up and burned, or where large areas of cotton are affected the 

 stalks should be plowed out, raked, and burned in the fall as soon as the cotton 

 is gathered. In this way the cotton roots and stems containing the fungus may 

 be desti'oyed and the possibilities of spread will be lessened. 



Experiments with Bordeaux mixture, copper carbonate, sulphur, carbolic acid, 

 formalin, and applications of lime and kainit have failed to control or materially 

 lessen the disease. 



Variety tests have shown that certain varieties are somewhat naturally 

 resistant to the black root or wilt, and that the resistant quality of some of 

 these may be strengthened by careful selection of seed from the best plants. 



