1060 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Results of oat smut in 1897, C. P. Close (New York State Sta. 

 Bui. 131, pp. 441-454). — The author reports upon a series of experi- 

 ments conducted for the prevention of oat smut. The methods tested 

 were treatment of the seed with solutions of Ceres powder, lysol, form- 

 alin, potassium sulphid, and the .Jensen hot- water treatment. Popular 

 descriptions are given of the oat smut and methods of infection. The 

 results of the different tests are tabulated and the cost of materials 

 given. The hot water treatment kept the crop wholly free from smut 

 and none of the treatments injured the seed. Both sprinkling the seed 

 with solutions and soaking them were tested. It was found that sprink- 

 ling the seed with a I per cent solution of either lysol or formalin 

 entirely prevented the smut. The use of potassium sulphid did noteu- 

 tirely prevent smut attacks, and Ceres powder was found less effective. 

 The results obtained by soaking the seed were similar to those just given. 

 The cost per bushel of soaking the seed in a 0.3 per cent solution of lysol 

 is about 2.7 cts. ; in a 0.2 per cent solution of formalin, 1.4 cts. ; in a 2 

 I>er cent solution of potassium sulphid, 5.4 cts., and in a 4 per cent 

 solution of Ceres powder, 39.6 ets. The cost of the chemicals where 

 the seed is sprinkled is 5 cts. per bu. for lysol, and 4 cts for formalin, 

 a 1 per cent solution being used in each case. Weaker solutions 

 were not tried, but it is thought they may prove effective in preventing 

 the smut. 



Conclusions of the Official Black Rot Commission, L. I )k 

 grully (Prog. Agr. et Vit., 28 {1897), No. 47, p. 590). — The commission 

 appointed by the Government of France to investigate the subject of 

 black rot, at its meeting at Bordeaux on November 19, announced the 

 following conclusions: 



The experiments conducted during the summer of 1897 showed the 

 efficiency of copper solutions for the prevention of black rot. Of the 

 solutions tested Bordeaux mixture containing not less than 2 per cent 

 copper sulphate gave the best results. 



The first application should be made when the young shoots are from 

 10 to 15 cm. long. The efficiency of subsequent sprayings depends 

 upon the time < if their application. The vines should be sprayed before 

 the different periods of attack, which, in Aimagnac, in 1897, occurred 

 May 18, June 7, and duly G and 25. For tbe ordinary attack of black 

 rot four or five sprayings will be sufficient. The removal of diseased 

 leaves is recommended, and in the autumn all diseased tissues should 

 be collected and burned. 



Potato blights, I. P. Roberts and L. A. Clinton (New York Cor- 

 nell Sta. Bui. 140, pp. 392-40(1, Jigs. 3).— The early and late blights of 

 potatoes are figured and popularly described. A report is given of 

 spraying experiments, in which 3 applications of Bordeaux mixture and 

 Paris green and one of Bordeaux mixture alone were given a number 

 of plats of potatoes, and the average total yield of the sprayed plats 

 was 337 bu., as compared with 234 bu. in the check plat. In the course 



