646 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol.38 



oculation experiments were made with varieties of oats to determine tlieir 

 susceptibility to Ustilago avence and U. Icevis, witli the result that all the 

 varieties showed some degree of infection, the amount varying from 5 to 20 

 per cent in most cases. Avena nuda was attacked to tlie extent of 86 per cent. 



[Notes on plant diseases] (New Mexico Sta. Rpt. .1917, pp. 22, 23, 24-26, 

 fig. 1). — Continued investigations are reported on a disease of chili pepper in 

 which an attempt was made to show the relation of the disease to soil and 

 water factors, but with negative results. A species of Fusarium is reported 

 to have been isolated from diseased plants, but only a small percentage of in- 

 oculations made with the organism produced typical signs of the disease. 



A brief account is given of a study of root diseases of alfalfa and fruit trees 

 and of a plant disease survey made in the State. In conjunction with the sur- 

 vey, the fungus Dothichiza populea is reported as occurring on yoimg poplar 

 trees. 



Report from the division of botany, H. T. GtJssow et ax. (Canada Expt. 

 Farms Rpts. 1916, pp. 1095-1150, pis. 11, fig. 1). — This report contains accounts 

 of the work carried on under the destructive insect and pest act, investiga- 

 tions in plant pathology and economic botany, and progress reports on the 

 work at the field laboratories at St. Catharines, Ont, Charlottetown, P. E. I., 

 and Fredericton, N. B. 



Considerable regulatory work is reported on potato diseases and white pine 

 blister rust. On the blister rust, an account is given by W. A. McCubbin of 

 the life history of the fungus, Pei-idermium strobi, particularly the over- 

 wintering of the fungus on the currant (E. S. R., 37, p. 558.) 



In the plant pathology section of the report, accounts are given of investiga- 

 tions on powdery scab, mosaic disease, blackleg, and late blight of potatoes, 

 with descriptions of experiments for their control. Very successful results 

 were obtained by spraying the potatoes with 6 : 4 : 40 Bordeaux mixture in New 

 Brunswick under the direction of G. C. Cunningham and on Prince Edward 

 Island by P. A. Murphy, these men being in charge of the field laboratories in 

 those Provinces. 



Notes are given on the effect of wet seasons on grain, especially on the occur- 

 rence of sooty ear of wheat due to Cladosporium herbarum, a glume spot of 

 wheat caused by Septoria glumarum, and wheat scab due to Gibberella saubi- 

 nettii; also on bitter pit of apples, the author agreeing with McAJpine as to its 

 cause, etc. (E. S. R., 37, p. 455). 



The investigations in economic botany reported upon consisted principally 

 of studies of the fiber of flax and hemp and work on poisonous plants. 



In the reports from the various field laboratories, W. A. McCubbin, of St. 

 Catharines, gives brief accounts of injury to maple trees by squirrels fol- 

 lowed by various fungi, the defoliation of sycamores by Gloeosporium nervise- 

 quum, cherry injuries due to frost and to wet soil, vpinterkilling of straw- 

 berry roots, ripe rot of fruits due to Rhizopus nigricans, heart rot of peach 

 trees attributed to various polyporous fungi, mosaic disease of tomatoes, etc. ; 

 P. A. Murphy, of the Prince Edward Island field laboratory, describes briefly 

 experiments for the control of club root of cabbages and turnips and of various 

 potato diseases and gives an account of work in progress on the growing of 

 seed potatoes in Nova Scotia for planting in Bermuda ; and G. C. Cunningham, 

 of the New Brunswick laboratory, reports on the organization of the plant 

 disease work in that Province and on beginning various activities in research 

 and extension. 



Annual report of the mycologist, W. J. Dowson (Dept. Agr. Brit. East 

 Africa Ann. Rpt. 1915-16, pp. 52-56). — Besides brief mention of experiments in 

 progress on coffee leaf disease, the selection of wheat varieties derived from 



