962 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The author reports the occurrence of Hemileia vastatrix upon coffee, and reports 

 inquiries relative to the cacao canker ( Nertria sp. ) . These diseases and others are 

 to be the subjects of future investigations. 



Report of tlie veg-etable pathological experiment station for the year 

 1900-1901, <i. LusTNER {Ber. K. Lehrand. Wein, Obst n. fiartcnbau, Gcisenheim, 

 1900-1901, pp. 121-1S4, pi- 1, figs. 3). — The organization of the laboratorj- connected 

 with the station and some of the lines of investigation are descriljed. The principal 

 investigations during the year have been on diseases of orchard trees and on grapes. 

 Descriptions are given of the mildew of pears caused by SpJuvrotheca malt, the occur- 

 rence and distribution of the ^lonilia disease of stone and other fruits, and of the 

 winter form of the grape mildew ( OkUiun tuckeri). These diseases are described at 

 some length and suggestions given for their prevention. 



Report of the station for plant protection and plant diseases at Weihen- 

 stephan, 1898-1900, J. E. Weiss ( Vrtljschr. Bayer. Landu: Bath., 6 {1901), No. i", 

 pp. 338-372, 496-.514). — A review is given of the various lines of investigation and 

 instruction carried on by the station for the years 1898, 1899, and 1900. The principal 

 part of the report was taken up with notes on fungus, insect, and other pests; their 

 occurrence noted, injury described, and means suggested for their prevention or 

 eradication. The various diseases and injuries are grouped under the respective 

 headings of cereals; root, fodder, and garden crops; orchard and small fruits, etc. 



Contributions to the knowledge of some undescribed or imperfectly known 

 fungi, C. A. J. A. OuDEMAXS {Proc. Sec. ScL Konlnkl. Akad. Weteii.'fcli. Amsterdam, 

 3 {1901 ) , pp. 140-1.56, 230-244, 332-347, 386-400, pis. 4, figi^- 12) . —Descriptions are given 

 of 108 new species of fungi and critical notes given upon a number of others. Many 

 of the fungi enumerated are of considerable economic importance since they are found 

 parasitically upon many economic plants. 



Oat smut in Wisconsin, R. A. Moore {Wisconsin Sta. Bnl. 91, pp. 1.5, figs. 2). — 

 The smut of grains has become a source of great annoyance to the farmers of Wiscon- 

 sin, reducing the yields of their crops to a considerable extent. In order to ascertain 

 the natural increase of smut a sample of oats which was infected to the extent of 10 

 per cent was sown without treatment, and by careful counting of the crop produced 

 it was found that 20 per cent was affected. Seed was saved from this crop and the 

 resultant crop was affected to the extent of 31 per cent. An attempt was made to 

 determine the distribution of the smut throughout the State. Directions were sent 

 out, giving methods for determining the amount of smutted oats in a given field, and 

 the replies received indicate an average from all the counties reporting of 20 per cent 

 infection. Data obtained in a somewhat similar manner from former students 

 throughout the State showed an average percentage of smut in 124 fields examined of 

 15 per cent. The number of experiments which were carried out during 1901 to test 

 the efficiency of formaldehyde as a preventive of smut are briefly reviewed, and let- 

 ters are published from a number of farmers who have successfully used this treatment. 



Treatment of seed oats to prevent smut, R. A. Moore ( Wisconsin Sta. Bpt. 

 1901, pp. 25-5-260, figs. 2). — Formaldehyde in various strengths was used as a treat- 

 ment of the seed, which should be given several days in advance of sowing to enable 

 the seed to dry sufficiently for drilling. According to the author, the treated oats 

 seem to germinate more quickly, differences from 2 to -1 days l^eing reported in favor 

 of oats treated. No detrimental effect on the germination of the seed wa.s apparent, 

 and of 30 varieties treated not a single affected head could be found during the grow- 

 ing season. In order to determine the most efficient strength and time that the oats 

 should be submerged in the solution, experiments were carried on with solutions of 

 I lb. of formaldehyde to 50, 100, and 200 gals, of water, respectively, the seed being 

 soaked from 10 to 60 minutes. The best results were obtained where the seed oate 

 were submerged m the solution for 20 minutes in a I-lb. to 50-gal. solution. 



