DISEASES OF PLANTS. 3G1 



Poisonous plants growing in meadows and pastures, E. Xoffiiav (Agr. Ration- 

 nelle, 1898, Xo. 15). 



Exchange seed list, W. A. SETCHELL-and J. B. Davy {California Sta., March, 1898, 

 pp.8). — A list is given of duplicate seeds of the botanic garden which are offered for 

 exchange only for seeds from other experiment stations and botanic gardens in the 

 United States and abroad. In all, 220 species and varieties are listed. 



Seed travelers, C. M. Weed i Huston: Ginn .V Co., 1898, pp. 58, ill.). — Treats of 

 the methods of dispersal of various common seeds. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Diseases of plants, H. L. Bolley (North Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 

 43-50). — Aside from work on potato scab and rusts of cereal grains, 

 the author has been collecting - information relative to other diseases of 

 plants. Some of the observations have not yet been published. 



A brief report is given of a disease designated as blighting of wheat. 

 Usually the heads have the appearance of sun scald or injuries result- 

 ing from excessive drought. During the past season the disease was 

 especially destructive. At harvest a large portion of the heads were 

 found with the upper half unfilled. Microscopic study of these blighted 

 heads showed that the glumes and blighted grains were thoroughly 

 infested with a fungus growth. Specimens have been examined by the 

 author and others, and as yet there is no agreement as to the exact 

 nature of the fungus. The author, however, is induced to believe that 

 the fungus is a species of Alternaria. Further investigations are 

 promised. 



The author continued his investigation of the smuts of cereals, ex- 

 perimenting with formalin, "Ceres Pulver," and a tobacco extract 

 known in the trade as " Roseleaf." The effect of these fungicides on 

 the prevention of smuts of wheat, oats, and millet is shown in tables, 

 and a comparison made with hot water and corrosive sublimate treat- 

 ments. The treatment of wheat with " Roseleaf" seemed to increase 

 the smut rather than diminish it. Formalin and corrosive sublimate 

 gave the best results. In the treatment of oats the " Ceres Pulver'' 

 and formalin seemed to be equally efficient in preventing smut. The 

 formalin solution was very efficient in preventing smut of millet. An 

 experiment for the prevention of barley smut was attempted, but on 

 account of the very small percentage of disease on the untreated plat, 

 no conclusions can be drawn from the trial. 



The comparative resistance of different varieties of oats to rust was 

 also investigated, and further results are to be forthcoming. 



The effect of different dates of seeding or possible variation in soil 

 conditions upon the development of smuts in grain was investigated 

 with wheat, oats, barley, and millet. This work was in continuation 

 of that began in 189G, and for the present the author thinks it is desirable 

 to withhold the publication of results. 



Prevalent diseases of cucumbers, melons, and tomatoes, A. D. 

 Selby (Ohio Sta. Bui. 89, pp. 99-122, pis. 3, map 1).— The author calls 



