456 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD, 



and of spores, ovviiv^- tn tlie effect on the host. In cultivating the host the parasite 

 is also cultivated. 



The parasitism of Botrytis cinerea, R. E. Smith [Bot. Gaz., 33 (1902), No. 6, 

 pp. 431-430, figii. 2). — According to the author, too much importance has been hitherto 

 ascribed to cellulose-dissolving enzyms upon the parasitism of Botrytis and similar 

 fungi. Two stages in the process of attacking the host plant are clearly distinguished : 

 First, a poisoning and killing of the cells; and second, their disintegration and utiliza- 

 tion as food by the fungus. The first effect appears to be' produced by a substance 

 which the author believes to be oxalic acid formed by the fungus as a by-product of 

 its metabolism. Following this, a number of different enzyms are secreted which 

 digest the various constituents of the tissues. The identity of these enzyms probably 

 varies in different cases and there are apparently several forms which affect different 

 kinds of cellulose. The enzyms reported as causing the swelling of the cell walls in 

 the lily disease studied by Ward, and the turnip disease reported by Potter, appear 

 to be unlike that produced by Botrytris cinerea. The results obtained by the author's 

 investigation are believed to have a suggestive bearing on the parasitism of many 

 other fungi which bring about the rapid destruction of the tissues of the host plant. 



"Take-all" in wheat, D. McAlpine [Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 1 {1902), No. 1, 

 2ip. 74-SO). — A disease of wheat locally known as "take-all" has existed in Aus- 

 tralia for 40 years or more, and although investigated at various times the cause of 

 the disease is still in dispute. Just before the stalks appear, the leaves of the wheat 

 lose their color, the outer ones becoming yellow. When the stalk develops it is 

 stunted and never matures. The entire plant soon dies and this may take place over 

 a considerable area. The roots of the affected plants also have a very characteristic 

 appearance. They are stunted and deformed at an early stage and may be thickened 

 and knotted close to the stem. They are excessively covered with the root hairs and 

 new roots are generally thrown out just above the old ones. The disease appears to 

 occur in rather definite areas. It begins with small spots and gradually spreads, the 

 plants dying off in larger or smaller j)atches according to the virulence of the attack. 



Various causes have been assigned from time to time, among them several fungi, 

 nematodes, faulty conditions of soil, drought, etc. The author's observations show 

 that nematodes are a common accompaniment of the disease. Among fungi reported, 

 Ophiobolus herpotrichus was found present in many instances, the basal portions of 

 the stem being considerably blackened. A species of Septoria was found exceedingly 

 common but no species of Cladosijorium were o1)served, although this has l)een 

 claimed to be one of the principal causes of the disease. A circular letter has been 

 widely distributed in which the author seeks information regarding the disease 

 wrnch is still under investigation. 



The presence of nematodes and stinking smut in wheat, R. Maire {BuL Soc. 

 Mycol. France, 18 {1902), p. ISO; abs. in Bot. Centhl., 89 {1902), No. 14, p. 396).— Th^. 

 author reports the coexistence of nematodes, Tylenchus tritici, and smut, TiUetia triiici, 

 in the grain of wheat. 



A new disease of winter barley, L. Hecke {Ztschr. Landw. Versuchsw. Oei^terr., 

 6 {1902), No. .'>, pp. 746-748). — A brief description is given of a disease of winter bar- 

 ley which has been recently discovered in Austria The leaves of the affected plants 

 turn yellow and the plant finally dies. Upon diseased specimens, near the ground, 

 between the stem and the leaf sheath, were found numerous round, yellowish-l>rown 

 bodies which proved to be the sclerotia of an undetermined species of Sclerotinia. 

 It is thought possible that the species may be the same as that described as produc- 

 ing the sclerotium disease of numerous species of grasses. 



TiUetia horrida on rice in South Carolina, A. P. Anderson {Bal. Torrey Bot. 

 Clal), 2U {190/), No. 1, pp. 35, 56).— The occurence of smut of rice has been i:)reviously 

 noted (p]. S. R., 11, p. 463), and was assigned by the author to the fungus TiUetia 

 corona. Subsequent observations and comparisons with specimens from Japan have 



