146 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



The parasitic diseases of cultivated plants, G. Delacroix and A. Maublanc 

 (Maladies des Plantes Cultiv6es. Maladies Parasitaires. Paris, 1909, pp. VIII+ 

 452, pis. 83). — This is one of the numbers of the agricultural series published 

 under the direction of G. Wery, and treats of the diseases of cultivated plants 

 duo to parasites. The material is grouped into 3 parts, the diseases of bacterial 

 origin, those due to fungi, and those caused by pbanerogamic parasites, and the 

 arrangement is by orders of parasites. The fungi and other parasites are 

 described, their host plants mentioned, and the disease caused characterized, 

 after which notes are given on the treatment or prevention of the disease. 



The enemies of fruit trees and cultivated plants, V. Vermorel (Les 

 Ennemls des Afbres Fruitiers et des Plantes Cultivees. Villefranche (Rhone), 

 J 909, pp. 50). — Brief descriptions are presented of the more important fungi 

 and insects which attacli fruit trees and cultivated plants, the arrangement 

 being alphabetical according to the common names of the pests. Formulas are 

 also given for the preparation and directions for the application of a con- 

 siderable number of the better known fungicides and insecticides. 



Ear rots of corn, T. J. Burrill and J. T. Barrett (Illinois 8ta. Bui. 183, pp. 

 65-109, pi. 1, figs. 21). — According to the authors, ear rots of corn are caused 

 by a number of species of fungi, and 4 typical forms of rot are described. The 

 first, caused by Diplodia sew, is apparently the most widely spread and the one 

 doing the most injury at the present time. The other forms of the disease are 

 all due to species of Fusarium, and the authors believe that 3 distinct species 

 of that genus are responsible for the trouble. 



The mycelium of the Diplodia occurs in an active growing condition on the 

 ear and inner husks. The fungus winters over on old infected ears and stalks 

 and under favorable conditions new infections start in the green ears. The 

 life history of the fungus, its growth in cultures, germination of spores, the 

 results of inoculation experiments, etc., are described at length. 



Among the Fusarium diseases, tlie first described produces on the ears of 

 corn a dense, feltlike mass of white mycelium, which extends between the 

 kernels to the cob, causing it to become more or less diseased. The fungus 

 evidently occurs upon the cornstalks, but its life history is yet unknown. 

 The second form of the disease is characterized by having a deep pink or red- 

 dish color, due to pigment produced in the hyphte of the finigus. The mycelium 

 penetrates the inner husks and silk and holds them firmly to the ear. The 

 third form of the Fusarium disease is less destructive and, so far as observed, 

 the infected ears have only a few diseased grains, and the corn may be 

 utilized for feeding purposes. The mycelium of this species is white, sparse, 

 and found principally in the ends of the kernels, where it feeds upon the starch 

 and produces large numbers of spores. 



For the prevention of these different diseases, the authors recommend the 

 destruction of all the old stalks which may be affected, and the avoiding of 

 the planting of corn for at least 2 years in or near regions that are known to 

 be badly infected. 



The synonymy of the different fungi is described at some length. 



A study of corn mold, F. L. Stevens and J. G. Hall (North Carolina Sta. 

 Rpt. 1908, pp. 37-89). — The authors state that a disease of corn known as mold, 

 mildew, rot, etc., was reported quite commonly in 1906, and a study was begun 

 at that time. 



Specimens have been obtained from a number of sections of the State, and 

 as a result of the investigations the authors state that of 3 species of Diplodia 

 which have been described as occurring on corn, D. macrospora comes nearest 

 the description of the material found occurring on most of the ears of corn, 



