246 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECOED. 



ease lias been reported iu North America only from Newfoundland. Attention is 

 called to the desirability of a quarantine as a means for preventing the further 

 introduction and establishment of these diseases. 



A review of literature relating to diseases of sugar beets and potatoes, 

 A. Stift (CentU. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Aht., 33 (1912), No. 17-19, pp. ^-496).— This 

 is a critical review of some of the more important literature relating to the 

 diseases of sugar beets and potatoes and their control. 



The control of the loose smuts of barley and wheat, K. Stormee et al. 

 (Deut. Landw. Presse, 38 (1911), Nos. 8S, pp. 1005, 1006; 89, p. 1017).— A study 

 has been made of different methods of seed treatment for the prevention of the 

 loose smuts of barley and wheat, especial attention being given the modified hot- 

 water method. The relation of temi^erature and duration of the preliminary 

 soaking of the seed grain to the water content of the seed was investigated, 

 and also the maximum, minimum, and optimum temperatures for the germina- 

 tion of the smut spores and the development of the mycelium. 



It was found that the spores germinate at temperatures between 5 and 35° C. 

 and that the mycelium begins to gi'ow at temiKjratures just below 6° and growth 

 ceases at 34°. The maximum water content of the grain, about 32 per cent, 

 was attained in preliminary treatments of 12 hours' soaking at 6° or 4 hours 

 at 30°. The relation of this temi^erature to water content is discussed at length. 



As practical methods for seed treatment, based on the observations of the 

 authors, they recommend (1) soaking barley for 12 hours at 35° and wheat at 

 40°, and (2) a preliminary soaking for 4 hours at from 25 to 35° for barley 

 and wheat, after which the seed is dipped for 10 minutes in water heated to 

 50 to 52° for barley and 52 to 53° for w'heat. In place of hot water, hot air 

 for i hour may be substituted without drying the grain, 50 to 52° being main- 

 tained for barley and 52 to 53° for wheat. Where large amounts of seed are to 

 be treated, forms of hot-air apparatus coupled with drying may be used, the 

 temperature in the latter case falling to 40°. 



Grain smuts and their control, O. Bboz (Monatsh. Landw., 4 (1911), No. 10, 

 pp. 289-293, figs. J,; 5 (1912), No. ', pp. 17, 18). — After giving a brief discussion 

 of the various grain smuts, the author recommends three methods of ti'eatment 

 for infected seeds as follows : 



Copper sxilphate solution of 0.5 per cent strength is used to steep the grain, 

 vigorously stirring the mass meanwhile. In the same way formaldehyde may 

 be used, being made up to 1 or 2 per cent strength by adding to 100 liters of 

 water 250 or 500 gm. of the 40 per cent commercial solution (formalin). The 

 Jensen hot water treatment is preferred to the hot air treatment, and is said 

 to destroy the mycelium which is claimed to arise from six)re infection of the 

 seed during its development in the parent flower. In the application of this 

 treatment the grain, enclosed in very loose sacks, is steeped in water at 20° C. 

 for 12 hours, then each sack is agitated for 1 minute in a vat at 46° and 

 lastly for 10 minutes iu a vessel at 50° to 52° in case of wheat or at from 48° to 

 50° in case of barley (higher temperatures will affect germination), and at once 

 cooled in cold water and thoroughly dried. It is rcommended that the seed be 

 planted soon after treatment. 



The leaf spot of oats, B. Tacke (Mitt. Deut. Landw. Geselh, 26. (1911), No. 3, 

 pp. 26-28; abs. in Cmtbl. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 31 (1911), No. 11-15, p. 321).— 

 The author regards the so-called dry spot of oats, as well as somewhat similar 

 troubles with other cultivated plants, as the result of nutritive disturbances 

 due to overliming. The remedy indicated is the employment of fertilizers 

 relatively low in lime. 



Flower infection with cotton boll rots, C. W. Edgerton (Phytopathology, 2 

 (1912), No. 1. pp. 23-27, pi. 1; abs. in No. 2, p. 98).— The studies of Barre 



