204 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



which were begun in the greenhouse in the winter of 1895-96 with 

 formalin for the prevention of potato scab have been continued in the 

 field, and Bulletin 05 of the station issued on the subject (B. S. K., 9, 

 p. 456). Notes are given from correspondence with different individ- 

 uals relative to the use of formalin as a preventive of potato scab, from 

 which it appears that if this fungicide is properly applied and the seed 

 potatoes planted in uninfested soil a clean crop of potatoes will be 

 secured. Studies have been made on the growing of lettuce in the 

 greenhouse, and the most important conclusions have been embodied 

 in Bulletin 66 of the station (E. S. K., 9, p. 1047). Observations and 

 studies on corn smut have been continued. 



Continued observations have been made on a peculiar sugar destroy- 

 ing disease of the sugar beet, which was previously reported in Bulletin 

 39 of the station (E. S. R., 3, p. 853). The bacterial nature of the dis- 

 ease has been confirmed and a future publication is promised of the 

 results of the investigation. 



Investigations have been continued in the growing of roses and cine- 

 raria, and some notes are given of studies on the proper food of plants. 



Experiments have been continued on the effect of size of seed on 

 production, peas and beans being used. The author has attempted to 

 ascertain the law of increase in size when brought about solely by 

 selection of the largest seed through a series of generations. 



Subwatering for greenhouses and outside storage has been under 

 consideration. 



Report of the bacteriologist, F. C. Harrison (Ontario Agr. Col. 

 and Expt. Farm Rpt. 1897, pp. 121-128, figs. 2). — A report is given of 

 the routine work in connection with the agricultural college and of an 

 experiment conducted to ascertain the effect of spraying Bordeaux 

 mixture on foliage. Eight seedling pears and two each of peach and 

 quince were sprayed with Bordeaux mixture containing different 

 amounts of lime. The plants were potted and kept in greenhouses, so 

 that uniform conditions could be maintained. Four applications of the 

 fungicide were made and specimens of the leaves examined. Later 

 three more sprayings were given. The most noticeable feature, as 

 shown by microscopic ex;uninations of the leaves, was the increase in 

 number of chlorophyll granules both in the palisade cells and in the 

 spongy parenchyma of the sprayed leaves. In many cases the treated 

 leaves showed the presence of a third layer of palisade cells more or less 

 continuous. Measurements of the thickness of the leaves were made 

 by means of a micrometer, and in every case but one there was an 

 increased thickness, due to spraying. When an excess of lime was 

 used the leaves were thicker than when a smaller quantity was used. 

 The addition of lime seemed to give the foliage increased vigor. The 

 author thinks that it would be advisable to use larger amounts of lime 

 in the preparation of Bordeaux mixture. The increased thickness of 

 the leaves seems to be due to an increased development of the palisade 

 layer of cells. 



