850 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. [Vol. 38 



to each of these rusts is claimed to be somewhat strictly specific. The evideuces 

 of I'esistauce as described for wheat also apply to oat varieties. Early pro- 

 ductiOH of telia ou seedling leaves probably indicates resistance. 



Further search must be made for varieties resistant to stem rust, as no 

 variety of the A. sierilis group has yet been found which will withstand its 

 attacks. A basis is now olTered for making selections and crosses to produce 

 improved oat varieties resistant to crown rust and suited to conditions in 

 different oat-growing portions of the United States. 



Tylenchus tritici on wheat in Virginia, F. D. Fkomme {Phytopathology, 7 

 (1911), No. 6, pp. J{52, .',5S. fiy. 1). — The author reports having received s])eci- 

 meus of wheat attacked by T. tritici from a correspondent in Virginia. Th* 

 presence of this nematode in wheat is said to have been noted for about six 

 years, and the loss in a field of 10 acres duf to its presence in 1017 is e.stimated 

 as about 2.5 per cent. 



Sclerotinia trifoliorum, the cause of stem rot of clovers and alfalfa, A. H. 

 Gilbert and C. W. Bennett {Phytopathology, 7 {1911), No. 6, pp. Jii2-JtJf2. figs. 

 5). — An account is given of investigations of 8. trifoliorum, which is said to 

 attack alfalfa, crimson clover, red clover, and white clover and to have been 

 observed on one occasion on Euphorbia inueiiluta. This fungus has long been 

 known to attack red clover in Europe, but was first reported in this country on 

 red and crimson clover in 1890 (E. S. R., 3, p. 6S9). The authors desci-ibe the 

 disease and life history of the causal organism and give observations on its 

 morphology, parasitism, saprophytism, etc. 



The disease causes a wilting of the leaves and stems and a rotting of the 

 stems and root systems, accompanied l>y the formation of black sclerutia. 

 Greenhouse experiments resulted in the production of the disease ou young 

 clover and alfalfa plants from pure cultures of the fungus. 



Suggestions are given for the control of this disease, deep plowing, scattering 

 lime over the soil, and rotation of crops being considered effective methods. 



Cabbage diseases, L. L. Harter and L. R. .Tones {U. &'. Dcpt. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bui. 925 {lOlS), pp. 30, figs. H). — This is a revision and extension of Farmers' 

 Bulletin 488 (E. S. R.. 27, p. 249). 



Short smut on cholam, S. Sundabaeaman {Madras Agr. Dept. Yearbook, 

 1911, pp. 99-101). — The fungus {Cintractia sorghi- vulgaris) causing the so- 

 called short smut ou cholam {Andropogon sorghum) is briefly described. This 

 is said to be the second crop, as regards acreage and importance, in the Madras 

 Presidency, and the loss caused by the smut is very considerable. 



Tlie study here reported was intended to determine the location of infection 

 of the host plant, the minimum efl'ective concentration of copper sulphate solu- 

 tion, the effect of this concentration on germinability, and the efficiency of a 

 copper sulphate solution of definite concentration in preventing infection in a 

 crop. Steeping seeds in copper sulphate solution of 0.5 to 1 per cent concen- 

 tration did not reduce germinability, but sucli reduction did follow the use of 

 16 per cent strength. The duration of the treatment did not markedly affect 

 the germinability of the seeds. Strengths of 0.5 per cent and upward com- 

 pletely prevented the development of smut spores, untreated spores germinating 

 freely in 24 hours. Stirring appears to be essential to complete prevention of 

 the disease. Field tests gave similar results, and it was decided to recommend 

 a 2 per cent solution and a 15-niinute pcM'iod as safe and convenient. Formalin 

 is not considered as suitable for general use. 



A Sclerotinia parasitic on Matthiola vallesiaca, A. Lendner {Bui. Soc. Bot. 

 Ge7irve. 2. scr., 9 {1911), No. 1-S. pp. 21-29. figs. .^).— The author notes the 

 presence of the fungus described as <S. hiatthbAn n. sp. on several crucifers, 



