58 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The importance of the use of clean seed and theuselessness of plant- 

 ing potatoes in infected soil are pointed out. Directions are given for 

 the treatment of scabbed seed with a solution of corrosive sublimate 

 before planting, and this treatment is considered as having given excel- 

 lent results at the station. The nse of Bordeaux mixture for soaking 

 the seed is also mentioned, but it did not give as complete results as 

 the corrosive sublimate. The usual precautions are given for the 

 treatment of seed and for the kind of soils in which the potatoes are 

 to be planted. 



Parasitic diseases of legumes, Gr. McCarthy {North Carolina 

 Sta.Bnl. 9S,2)p. 151, 15:j). — Brief mention is made of the occurrence of 

 Septoria dolichi, Uromyces sp. and Glceospormm sp. on cowpeas and of 

 a species of EryHiphe on alfalfa. From the nature of the crops but lit- 

 tle can be done with fungicides in iireventing these diseases, but reli- 

 ance must be placed on clean fields, proper drainage, use of stimulating 

 fertilizers, and avoidance of stable manure. 



Dodders {Cusctita trifolii and C. epitliynum) are described and the 

 imi^ortauce of sowing only clean seed shown. Clover sickness is men- 

 tioned, and, although it is not yet known in this country, a rotation of 

 crops is advised in which clover will only occupy the ground at intervals 

 of 4 or 5 years. 



Rust on "wheat {Board of Agr. Great Britain, Rpt. IntcUigence Bept. 

 1892, pp. ii, pis. 4). — A report of investigations made in Great Britain 

 and elsewhere on the cause, nature, and i)ossible means of repression 

 of wheat rust {Puccinia (jraminis). Reports received from various 

 sources give losses due to rust in varying amounts, some reporting as 

 great a loss as 50 i^er cent. h\ England the date of appearance of the 

 uredo, or ordinary rust form, is from June 10 to July 20, and of the 

 teleuto, or black rust, from July 19 until the end of harvest. The 

 influence of soil was investigated, but it seems that soils have but little 

 effect upon attacks of rust, light, gravelly ones being as much affected 

 as those of a heavy clay or alluvial nature. J. B. Lawes and A. 

 Voelcker are quoted as maintaining that grain grown on soil rich in 

 organic matter and having an excess of nitrogenous foods will, when 

 other conditions are fjivorable, be more liable to attack than where 

 there is a large amount of available mineral matter at the disposal of 

 the plant. 



Date of sowing seems to bear an important part in the damage done 

 by the rust, early sown grain being less liable to attack than late sown. 



The effect of weather is reported, and w^et weather with a deficient 

 temperature, resulting in what is termed a bad season and a thin crop, 

 seems very favorable for spread of rust. 



The following conclusions are given based upon observations made 

 in various countries: 



"Seasons arc tbe chief cause of rust. Sudden chaiifjcs of temperatuie aiul rain, 

 accouipauied by close, sultry AveatliL-r, arc favorable to its increase. Low-lying ricb 



