DISEASES OF PLANTS. 751 



smut fungi. Experiments were carried on in wlilcli spores of fungi were 

 mixed witli soil, others in wliieli seed was infei-ted, and otliers in wliicli infec- 

 tions were made through the flowers. 



Summai-izing liis results, the author states that soil infection, althougli 

 known in some cases, does not generally take place, at least not in .Japan. 

 Tlie smuts of cereals may be classified according to their methods of natural 

 infection as follows : Flower infection, VstiJuyo tritlci, V. liordci, and U. nuda; 

 seed infection, (7. ixiiiici-miUacei, U. cramcri, UrocyiitiM occulta, and Tillctia 

 hvvis. UstUago itKij/di.'^ is disseminated by the wind and may be developed 

 upon the young tissues of any part of the plant. The experiments with Usti- 

 higo rcUiana, U. soryiti, U. avciiw, U. Icvvis, and TUlctia iritici liave not yet been 

 completed. 



Treating- oats with formalin, Raum {I'rakt. BJ. Ppanzrnhau u. ticJtutz, n. 

 xcr., 5 (lil07), A'o. i/, i)i). 127, 12S). — A descrii)tion is given of a metliod of soak- 

 ing oats for 15 minutes in a dilute solution of formalin, after which the seed 

 was dried as quickly as possible. One lot of seed was left over night, and this 

 dried much more slowly, owing to the greater depth of the pile of seed and the 

 fact that in the rapid drying the grain was constantly shoveled. When tested, 

 the seed that had been allowed to stand over night germinated only about 78 

 per cent as compared with 98 per cent> where the seed was rapidly dried. The 

 treatment so far as the reduction of smut was concerned was very efficient. 



Notes on brusone of rice, J. V. d'Almeida (Rev. Agron. [Porttigal], 5 

 {1907), No. 8, pp. 21/2-247). — The author reviews and summarizes the worlv of 

 Farneti on the causes and methods of control of rice brusone (E. S. II., 18, 

 p. 94G). 



Disease in Louisiana sugar cane, II. R. Fulton (La. Planter, 39 {1907), 

 No. 20, PI). 313-315, fig. 1; Haivaii. Planters' Mo., 26 {1907), No. 10, pp. 365- 

 371). — After briefly calling attention to the diseases of sugar cane which are 

 most commonly known, the author states that the only one with which Louisi- 

 ana planters are at present concerned is the root disease, which has been at- 

 tributed to MarasmiHs saccliari. A recent examinatit)n of material by I>r. AV. G. 

 Farlow has shown that the fungus is not the M. saccliari of Wakker, but is very 

 similar to if not identical with M. plicatus, a species hitherto described as 

 saprophytic in habit. 



For the control of the disease the author suggests planting noninfected cane 

 or the disinfection of cuttings with Bordeaux mixture. 



A parasitic fungus on tapioca {Agr. Bui. Straits and Fed. Malaij' States, 

 6 {1907), No. 7, pp. 20Jf, 205). — A brief description is given of a fungus disease 

 of tapioca in which the leaves of the plant are attacked. The leaves first show 

 discolored spots on both surfaces, and when well developed the central portion 

 is dry and surrounded by irregular yellowish discoloratious. The whole dis- 

 eased area eventually becomes dry and falls out, leaving an irregular hole. 



The disease does not seem to have produced very serious losses up to the 

 la'csent, but it should not be neglected, as it is thought that it might prove quite 

 destructive. The fungus, which has not been definitely determiued, appears to 

 he a form of rust. 



A rust of cabbag-e, L. Tfjaisut {BhI. Agr. Algcrie ct Tmiisic, 13 {1907), No. 

 I'l, pp. 355, 356). — Attention is called to the presence on cabbage in Algeria of 

 a true rust and t(» the fact that such parasites on the genus Rrassica are nni-e- 

 ported, so far as the author's investigations have gone. The fnnigus .Kcidiuni 

 hrassicw n. sp. is technically described. It is stated that I'uccinia isiacw on 

 Phraginites isiaca is !)robably the uredo form of an .Ecidium on certain cru- 

 ciferous plants. As this grass is quite conunon in the irrigation ditches about 

 gardens and was found to I)e infested witli a'cidia, its possible relation to the 



