1058 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD, 



canary grass, and sea meadow grass. The effect produced by the fungus upon its 

 various host plants is shown and the technical characteristics of the fungus are 

 described at length. The conditions for the appearance and spread of the disease 

 are mentioned, and rotation of crops is recommended as one of the most efficient 

 methods of combating it. 



A nevr disease of potatoes in France, G. Delacroix {Extr.frotn Jour. Agr. [Paris'], 

 1901, Sept. 7, pp. 7). — An account is given of the appearance of a bacterial disease 

 of potatoes in France which is attributed to Barillvs mlanacearum. The characteris- 

 tics of the disease are descri))ed at some length. Inhere seems to be a decided differ- 

 ence in varieties as to susceptibility to this disease. Early varieties, such as Quar- 

 antaine and Red Saucisse, are very subject to the disease, while Richter Imperator is 

 less so, and others apparently not at all liable. Although this disease was first 

 reported in the United States it is not definitely known to l)e of American origin. 

 In addition to this bacterial disease, the mycelia of a number of fungi are frequently 

 observed in the stems of affected plants. The fungi noted are a form of Fusarium, 

 Rhizoctonia solani, a species of Vermicularia, and a dark brown mycelium which 

 appears to be that of Torula convoluta. For protection against these fungi, the author 

 recommends rotation of crops, careful attention to fertilizers, and preliminary treat- 

 ment of the seed tul)ers with a solution of formaldehyde. 



Investigations respecting defective growth, and premature decay of the 

 sugar cane occasioned by root disease, Z. Kamerling [Rpt. We.'it Jam Sugar 

 Expt. Sla. "A''///o/,'," Pehilongati, .Java, lUnO, pp. 18-21; reprint from Jnternaf. Sugar 

 Jour., 3 {1901), Aug.). — The early observations on root diseases of cane are briefly 

 reported. In 1894 AVakker showed that in some cases the disease was caused by 

 Marasmus sacchari, and proposed to call the disease the "dongkellan disease," from 

 the Malay word referring to the woody lower extremity of the cane. Kobus later 

 arrived at the conchision that there was more than one cause of disease which 

 resulted in a desiccation of the stems and leaves through the cutting off of the water 

 supply. The author believes that, aside from a few doul)tful cases, two distinct 

 kinds of root disease exist in Java which occasion extensive damage to sugar cane. 

 One of these seems to V)e confined to a particular variety of cane known as Louziers; 

 the other is commonly known as root disease. This latter disease has spread con- 

 siderably within the last few- years, and constitutes a great danger to the sugar 

 industry. The effect of the root disease, as shown upon the i)iant, is described at 

 some length. At the beginning the root system is sound and the plant develops in 

 a normal manner, but after a period varying from 2 to 8 months the disease appears 

 on the lowermost roots. After the root system is attacked the demand of the leaves 

 for water can not be supplied and the wilting l)ecomes manifest. If at this period 

 the plant is earthed up it may revive on account of the formation of sound roots in 

 the fresh earth, but this effect is only temporary as the disease attacks consecutively 

 the roots issuing from the higher nodes of the cane. The jilant accommodates itself 

 to a certain extent to the insufficient water supply by diminishing its leaf surface. 

 The lower leaves begin to dry and roll up, so that instead of L3 or 14 vigorous leaves 

 but 10 or 11 will be observed on the stock, and later perhaps only 3 or 4 remain. 

 This root disease is so peculiar in its mode of appearance and the way in which it 

 attaches itself to certain soils as to be quite characteristic, and it is believed that soil 

 studies must be made in connection with it. It has been observed that the disease 

 is most troublesome on old estates where the land has been imder cane for many 

 years. It seems probable that not only the available food supply must l)e taken into 

 consideration, but tlic {)liyHical condition of the soil as well in studying this disease. 



A review of the diseases and injuries of Deli tobacco, F. W. T. Htnoer 

 [Meded. ' S Lands Plantentuin, 1901, No. 47, pv. 5S). — Compiled notes are given of a 

 number of the more common diseases to which Sumatra tol)acco is subject. The 

 appearance of the disease, means of spreading, and, where known, the causes and 



