366 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



Concerning tlie bacterial disease of the potato, E. Makre {Prog. Agr. el Vit. 

 (Ed. UEst), 23 {1902), Nos. 14, pp. 415-417; 15, pp. 439-443; 16, pp. 462-470).— K 

 description is given of the bacterial disease of potatoes caused l^y Bacillus mlanincola. 

 This disease is said to have made a sudden appearance early in August, 1901, and it 

 is reported as having been observed to a more or less extent in 20 departments of 

 France. The characteristics of the disease and descriptions of the organism are given 

 at some length, the previous publications of Delacroix being drawn upon. Although 

 only recently demanding attention, this disease is said to have been known for a 

 number of years, and quite a number of local names are given which are more or 

 less descriptive of it. The conditions for the development of the disease and its 

 spread and treatment are discussed at some length. 



Concerning- a bacterial disease of the potato, A. Carre {Prog. Agr. et Mt. 

 {Ed. L'Est), 23 {1902), No. 15, pp. 429-430).— In a brief note the author calls atten- 

 tion to the presence of a bacterial disease of potatoes recently described by Delacroix 

 (see above), and suggests the stimulation of the growth of potatoes by the applica- 

 tion of fertilizers, particularly those containing superphosphates, as a means for com- 

 bating the disease. 



Some diseases of the sugar beet, C. O. Townsend ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Rpt. 72, pp. 

 90-101, ph. 4). — Popular descriptions are given of a number of the more injurious 

 diseases of the sugar beet, and so far as known directions are given for their preven- 

 tion. Among the diseases described are damping off, curly top or blight (also called 

 Western l)light, bacteriosis, and California beet disease), leaf spot, leaf rust, leaf 

 scorch, crown rot, root rot, scab, and crown gall. 



Field treatment of cane cuttings in reference to fungus diseases, A. Howard 

 ( llV.v/ Indian But. , 3 {1902) , No. 1, pp. 73-S6). — The author's attention has been called 

 to the fact that many cane cuttings either do not grow at all when planted or the 

 young shoots die shortly after their appearance above ground. In some plantations 

 as much as 30 per cent of the cuttings fail to grow. This loss is generally attributed 

 to drought, but a careful examination showed that the loss was doubtless due to the 

 presence of fungi. The fungus found is believed to be identical with that which 

 causes the disease of cane cuttings in Java, known as the pineapple disease. For the 

 protection of cuttings against this fungus {Thielariopsis ethaccficus) it has been recom- 

 mended in Java that the cut ends of the cuttings be coated with tar before planting. 

 The author has investigated tiie value of such treatment, also the treatment of the 

 cuttings with Bordeaux mixture, and Bordeaux mixture and tar. The results showed 

 that Bordeaux mixture alone or in combination with the tar is very effective in pre- 

 venting infection, and is considerably better than tar used alone. The relative value 

 of tops and cuttings of the lower part of the cane for seed purpo.ses was tested, and it 

 was found that the tops were much less liable to disease than the lower cuttings. This 

 is explained by the difference in the sugar content of the lower and upper part of 

 the cane. The greater amount of the sugar in the lower cuttings is believed to favor 

 the development of tlie fungus. The cost of treatment of cuttings with Bordeaux 

 mixture and tar would be about $12 per hundred acres where the cuttings are planted 

 at the rate of 1,200 per acre. It is recommended that in exchanging cuttings from 

 one country to another they be treated with the Bordeaux mixture and tar solution 

 prior to shipment. A brief bibliography of the subject concludes the bulletin. 



The root disease of sugar cane {Agr. Neics [^Barhados], 1 {1902), No. 1, p. 3). — 

 An account is given of experiments for the prevention of the growth of the fungus 

 Marasmiu.f sp. On account of the economic importance of this root disease, experi- 

 ments were made in which plats of 100 holes each of first-crop cane attacked by the 

 disease were treated by stripping the canes and spraying with Bordeaux mixture, 

 stripping and spraying with Bordeaux mixture and the application of lime, stripping 

 and liming, and untreated. The canes were planted October 17, 1901, and cut and 

 weighed February 27, 1902. The results of the experiment show that none of the 



