1086 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



organism, Avhicli has been isolated and cultivated through various media, is described 

 at some length. The bacterium seem to be somewhat similar to that described by 

 Kramer as the cause of bacteriosis of beets, but differs in being anaerobic, growing 

 upon gqjatin and potatoes and developing a brown pigment with the evolution of 

 gas on sugar-beet cylinders. The disease seems to be most prevalent in wet soi^s 

 and it is possible that the draining of these soils would tend to the restriction of the 

 organism. 



Nematode diseases of bananas, sugar beets, etc., V. Mosseri {La nudrtdie 

 vermicnliiire. Cairo: InM. Fr<nn;itix, 1903, pp. 40, pis. S, figa. 4)- — An account is given 

 of nematode diseases of bananas, sugar beets, and a number of other economic plants 

 which are caused by the presence of the nematode Hcterodera radlricola. The effect of 

 these parasites upon their host plants is described, and a complete description is given 

 of the organism and its life history. Mention is made of 31 families of j)lants, embrac- 

 ing more than 100 species, which are known to the author to be subject to the attacks 

 of this nematode. The effect of the disease on the composition of sugar beets is 

 shown by analyses, and suggestions are given for combating the trouble. These 

 consist in sterilizing the soil wherever possible, the rotation of crops, submersion of 

 land from irrigation ditches, use of certain fertilizers, naturally resistant varieties, etc. 



Nematodes in out-of-door plants, A. Osterw alder {Zischr. Fflanzenkrank., 12 

 {190^), d\o. '!, pp. SSS-34-, Jiys. 5). — The occurrence of nematodes in the leaves, 

 stems, and flowers of a number of wild plants is mentioned, and their effect upon 

 the appearance of the plant is described. The species of nematode most commonly 

 observed was Tylenchus devastatrix. 



Anag-allis arvensis as a host plant for stem nematodes, C. J. J. Van Hall 

 and M. W. V. Van Bi.m.evei.t {Tijdschr. PhniienzicJdni, S {1902), pp. 144-149, pi. 1).— 

 The authors found ih-Ai A nag allis arrenais, a common weed, especially on the light 

 soils used for onion and hyacinth culture, was a favorite host plant for the nematode 

 Tgleiieliii.s dev((.'<fatri.e that is so injurious to the onion and hyacinth culture. This 

 fact is thought to account for the difficulty of ridding infected land of the nematode, 

 even after years of cultivating with immune crops. — n. m. pieters. 



Some diseases of sugar cane in the West Indies, A. Howard {Ann. Bat., 17 

 {1903), No. 66, pp. 373-411, pi. i).— An account is given of the "rind" disease of 

 sugar cane and also a root disease which is quite prevalent. The author claims that 

 the Melanconium found on diseased sugar canes in the West Indies is not the cause 

 of the rind disease, as has l)een claimed ])y other authors, liut it is wholly sapro- 

 phytic in its growth. The phases of Trichosplueria sacchari, which are claimed to be 

 identical with those of Thielaiiopms etJiaceticus, cause a disease of cane cuttings in the 

 West Indies which is identical with the pineapple disease of cane cuttings in Java, 

 and in addition the fungus is parasitic on the growing cane. The rind disease of the 

 sugar cane in the West Indies is identical with that known as red smut in Java, and 

 is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum falcatum. This fungus readily attacks ripening 

 canes at wounds and at the old leaf bases, as well as the young canes which are capa- 

 ble of active growth. The Melanconium referred to above infects the canes at the 

 points where they have been invaded by the Colletotrichum. The common root 

 disease of sugar cane in Barbados is that caused by the fungus Mirasmms sacchari. 

 Under certain conditions the mycelium of this fungus attacks the growing tissues of 

 the roots, causing their destruction. 



The gummosis of the sugar cane, R. G. Smith (Proc. Linn. Soc. New South 

 Wales, 27 {1902), jit. l,jjp- 31-47, pis. 2). — A description is given of the disease of sugar 

 cane caused by Bacterium, vascvlarum. The substance of this paper has been previ- 

 ously noted (E. S. R., 14, p. 876). 



An ascobacterium from the sugar cane, R. G. Smith {Proc. lAnn. Soc. Neio 

 South Wales, 27 {1902), jjt. l,pp. 137-145, pi. 1). — A description is given of Bacterium 

 sacchari, n. sp., which has been noted elsewhere (E. S. R., 14, p. 876). 



