762 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



minutus), an eel worm (Tylcnchus obtusus), and the mite Rhizoglyplius 

 echinopiis. 



For the prevention of all these attacks on the potato the author 

 recommends treating the tubers before planting with a solution of cor- 

 rosive sublimate and planting in soil that has been heavily limed. The 

 application of kainit is also recommended, applications of 10 tons 

 of lime and 10 cwt. of kainit being applied in the fall, the lime to 

 be first plowed under and then the kainit applied as a top dressing. 



The effect of various copper preparations on the potato, 

 R. Thiele (Ztschr. Pflanzenkrank., 8 (1898), No. 2, pp. 70-80).— The 

 author reports the effect of applications of fostite, a copper sucrate 

 solution, a copper, sulphur and lime powder, and copper calcite. Fifty 

 varieties of potatoes were planted in rows, but so arranged in different 

 plats that treated and checked lots were comparable. Some of the 

 results of the applications are tabulated, showing that the different 

 fungicides affected different varieties differently. The potato blight 

 was greatly restricted by the use of all the fungicides except the cop- 

 per, sulphur and lime powder. The plat where this was applied showed 

 the greatest amount of disease of any of the treated plats and exceeded 

 some of the control plats in this respect. 



The influence of the treatment on the yield of different varieties is 

 shown. The gains and losses were about equal. It was apparent, how- 

 ever, that there were a greater number of small tubers on the plants 

 in the sprayed plats than in the others, and the author believes that 

 this was due to the fact that the copper preparations prolonged the 

 growing period of the plants and at the same time checked to some 

 extent the growth of the tubers. He states, however, that if the period 

 of growth could be prolonged sufficiently to mature the small tubers 

 that in all probability the yield would be considerably increased by 

 the application of the fungicide. 



A new copper fungicide for combating black rot, J. Perraud 

 (Jour. Ayr. Prat., 62 (1898), No. 50, pp. 849, 850).— The author describes 

 a form of fungicide which he claims is very efficient in preventing 

 attacks of black rot. The method of preparation is fully given as well 

 as the formula, which consists of water 100 liters, copper sulphate 2 

 kg., and resin 0.5 kg. Carbonate of soda sufficient to render the solu- 

 tion slightly alkaline is added. Another formula given contains only 

 half of the above amount of copper. This fungicide has been tested 

 and compared with ordinary Bordeaux mixture to which soap was 

 added, and the total amount of copper adhering to the grapes was some- 

 what higher than in the case of the other fungicide. The tenacity with 

 which it is held upon the fruit and foliage is said to be the most impor- 

 tant factor in its favor. 



A trial of " Ceres pulver" for the prevention of smut in oats, 

 E. S. GoFF ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 307-309). — A comparison was 

 made of Ceres pulver and hot- water treatment as a means of prevent- 

 ing smut in oats. The grain used for seed was from a crop that had 



