148 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



Bad germination of wheat seed {Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 20 (1914), No. 10, 

 pp. 894-896, pi. 1). — This is a report, with discussion, of tlie findings in case of 

 wheat submitted for investigation at Kew. 



Germination tests gave a percentage of 81, which was increased to 93 by 

 slightly cutting the seeds. This result suggested, and examination demon- 

 strated, the presence of disease. This was ascribed to the fungus Clados- 

 porium graminum, which blackened the chafC and shriveled the embroys of 

 the seeds attacked. It is stated that the mycelium dormant in the seeds 

 becomes active under the conditions favorable to germination. In bad cases 

 every portion of the ear is attached. It is often present in the hairs on the 

 chaff and in the bristle-like hairs forming the beard, apparently dissolving the 

 cell wall to some extent, as the threads exceed the original cavities in size. 

 In addition to the persistent mycelium, numerous microsclerotia are formed 

 which act as resting spores, germinating in spring, producing very minute 

 secondary conidia which infect the living plant, and rapidly spreading the 

 disease. 



Causes of soil sickness in wheat lands, etc., H. L. Bolley (North Dakota 

 Sta. Bui. 107 {1913), pp. 96, figs. ^5).— This is a detailed account of the author's 

 investigations, which have led to his theory that diminished yields of wheat 

 in the Northwest ai"e due to fungus attack and not to soil depletion (E. S. R., 

 25. p. 650). Various phases of the investigations have been previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 28, p. 442; 29, pp. 515, 516). A number of species of Helminthos- 

 porium, Fusarium, Colletotrichum, Alternaria, Cephalothecium, and Macro- 

 sporium are found associated with wheat sick soils either singly or in various 

 combinations. These fungi have also been found infesting seed, thus providing 

 for the spread of disease to new areas. 



The author considers a lack of rotation responsible, in part at least, for the 

 presence of the fungi in the soil, and for controlling the troubles due to soil 

 or seed infestation he recommends the avoidance of mixed varieties of cereals, 

 l)lanting of pure varieties of seed, selection of well cured, plump, heavy seeds, 

 disinfection of seed, and rotation of crops. 



Danger in threshing machines {Country Gent., 79 {1914), No. 6, p. 250). — 

 Attention has been called by H. T. Giissow to the losses due to dissemination of 

 smut diseases by public service threshing machines. A method of disinfecting the 

 machines with formalin is described, which is claimed to be simple, effective, 

 comparatively inexpensive, and capable of application with little loss of time 

 while traveling from farm to farm. 



Finger-and-toe disease of crucifers, P. Berthault {Jour, A^r. Prat., n. 

 ser., 26 {1913), No. 48, pp. 692-694, fiffs. 2).— A distinction is drawn between the 

 forms of injury inflicted upon crucifers by Plasmodiophora brassicce and that 

 due apparently to certain gall producing insects. 



ringer-and-toe, G. Fron {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 26 {1913), No. 49, pp. 730, 

 731). — Referring to the article above noted, the author reports that soil on 

 which cruciferous crops had been severely injured in spots by Plasmodiophora 

 trassicce during the previous year showed serious shortage on the same areas 

 when planted in carrots, though no organism was found in the plants affected. 



ringer-and-toe of crucifers, A. Gay {Jour, Agr. Prat., n. ser., 26 {1913), 

 No. 52, pp. 816, 817). — The author reports that an examination following the 

 above suggestion by Fron showed that in case of carrots following crucifers 

 nearly every case of poor success of the former crop occurred on spots where 

 the latter crop had previously been affected with Plasmodiophora hrassicce. 

 The question is i-aised whether the presence of certain insects might not prove 

 to be significant in this connection. 



