60 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



growing tissues. This growing condition is found in the young leaves when the 

 first smut appears in the field; later mostly at the junction of the leaf and sheath, 

 where cells are present for a long time in a state of active growth, and consequently 

 exposed longer to penetration by the germ tubes from the conidia; then in the 

 flowers and young parts of the ear and tassel, while later in the season the only 

 parts open to infection are the rudimentary ears, which develop after the larger ear 

 at each joint on the lower part of the stalk. 



'•'(4) The infection is probably through the conidia and not directly from the 

 spores. 



"(5) The period of incubation, or time between infection and the appearing of 

 smut boils, is about 10 days. 



"(6) It is probable that the early infections come from the spores of last year, 

 which germinate on the ground at the first favorable weather in the spring, while 

 the later and more abundant infections are from the new spores developed early in 

 the season." 



So far as the authors' observations go, they believe that smut is more 

 abundant in dry seasons and in the drier localities. Soils recently 

 manured or those near stables and barnyards are 'unusually favorable 

 for the development of corn smut. The application of fungicides to 

 the seed is without effect. Fresh manure, AvhicU is a favorable breed- 

 ing ground for smut, should not be applied to corn ground, especially 

 in damp soil, nor should corn be planted too close to sources of manure. 

 By proper care in this respect and burning as much of the smut as pos- 

 sible in the field the disease could probably be kept within limits in 

 which not more than 2 per cent damage would be done. The expense 

 of doing anything more would be greater than the saving and is con- 

 sidered impracticable. 



The synonymy of the fungus and an extensive bibliography are 

 appended. Notes are also given on the occurrence of head smut of 

 sorghum (Ustilago reiliana) on corn. As yet it has caused no serious 

 damage. 



Corn smut, A. I). Selbv and J. F. Hickman (Ohio Sta. Bui. 78, j>p. 

 92-95). — Brief notes are given on the occurrence and cause of corn 

 smut and recommendations for the prevention of the disease. 



In 1895 two fields of corn were examined in order to ascertain the per- 

 centage of loss occasioned by smut, and it was found that 4.44 percent 

 of the stalks were smutted. At this rate there is an estimated loss 

 amounting to $125,000 per annum for the whole State of Ohio. 



Negative results were obtained in a series of experiments conducted 

 in the treatment of seed with copper sulphate before planting. In the 

 authors' opinion the best means for the prevention of corn smut is the 

 destruction of the smut balls before they have had time to scatter their 

 spores. 



Raspberry anthracnose, S. A. Beach and W. Paddock [New York 

 State Sta. Ixpt. 1895, pp. 342-345).— 'The report here given is in contin- 

 uation of that given in Bulletin 41 of the station (E. S. R., 7, p. 38). 

 I^eviewing the work so far as given, it seems that Bordeaux mix- 

 ture can be successfully used in combatting anthracnose. and in 1895 the 



