DISEASES OF PLANTS. 1057 



susceptible varieties is recommended. The only other locality besides 

 Long Island where this disease is known definitely to occur is Iowa, 

 although it is probably of wide dissemination. 



Notes on Ophibolus graminis (Bui. Sta. Agron. Laon, 1897, 

 pp. 63-66). — This fungus attacks cereals between the ground aud the 

 first node, weakening the stem and causing it to fall over. The disease, 

 which is known as black foot of wheat, has been rather severe in its 

 attack. It is not confined to wheat, but rye and barley are also sub- 

 ject to its attack. A mild, moist winter is most favorable to the devel- 

 opment of the fungus. The seed grain and chaff are said to be active 

 agents in disseminating the disease, and treatment of the seed is of 

 some value. However, attacks may follow the presence of the spores 

 in the soil, etc. 



Spraying with copper solutions are beneficial, or the dry powder, 

 mixed with some chemical fertilizer, may be sown broadcast with good 

 results. Experiments are to be conducted along tins line, the applica- 

 tion of copper being made with nitrate of soda and superphosphate in 

 February. The estimated additional cost of such treatment for the 

 disease is about 40 cts. per acre. 



Smut and bunt, F. Maddox (Agr. Eocpts. Eastfield, Tasmania, 1897, 

 pp. 72-84, Jigs. 3). — The author gives the details of six years' experi- 

 ments with smut and bunt of cereals. The experiments with bunt 

 showed that it could be readily prevented by the use of different solu- 

 tions of chemicals or by the hot-water treatment, but no method was 

 learned for the prevention of the smut. He found in inoculation studies 

 of the smut that the only means of securing infected grain was by put- 

 ting spores on the ovary of the plant at the time of shedding the pollen 

 by the fiowers. Numerous experiments are reported in which no fail- 

 ures were secured if the smut spores were placed on the ovary at the 

 proper time. It was found also that the period of ripening of the smut 

 spores and that for the infection of the young grain closely corresponded. 

 Numerous experiments were conducted by which it was sought to arti- 

 ficially produce disease on wheat, oats, and barley by inoculating them 

 with spores of the smuts of wheat, oats, and grass, and wheat and barley 

 bunt. The results of his inoculations are shown in tables. In no case 

 were oat diseases conveyed to other plants, nor were they ever artifi- 

 cially induced on the oat plant. Successful inoculations were secured 

 with the other plants. 



A bacterial disease of the grape (La maladie d'Oleron), L. Ravaz 

 (Ann. Ecoie Nat. Agr. Montpellier, 9 (1895- , 96), pp. 298-317, pi. 1, Jigs. 

 14). — Under the name of "La maladie d'Oleron," the author describes 

 a disease of grapes which has been known for some time on the 

 island from whence it takes its name. Lately the disease has been 

 recognized in the vineyards of Charentes, Drome, and along the Medi- 

 terranean region. The disease is said to be of bacterial origin and to 

 be readily communicated to unaffected vines. Its effect on the differ- 



