156 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



to be the alternate stage of P. oxalidis, a description of which is given in con- 

 nection with Oxalis violacea. 



An experiment in the treatment of covered smut of barley, E. S. Salmon 

 and H. Wokmald (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London]. 24 (1918), No. 12. pp. 1888-1894, pi. 

 1, fig. 1). — Experiments involving seed treatment with formalin were completely 

 sucessful in preventing covered smut (Ustilaao hordei) of barley. Sprinkling 

 the seed with 2.5 per cent copper sulphate solution was less effective. Bordeaux 

 mixture was of little value in this connection. Sweating the seed in a malt 

 kiln at a temperature not exceeding 100° F. afforded no protection. 



Smut in oats and barley (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 24 (1918), No. 12. pp. 

 l^ll-l^W). — Covered and loose smut of barley are described, with a discussion 

 of the economy, efficiency, and safety of protective methods of treatment. 



Studies on the rice blast fungus, I, Y. Nishucado (Bcr. Ohara Inst. Landw. 

 Forsch., 1 (1917), No. 2. pp. 171-218. pis. 2. figs. 21.— This Investigation of rice 

 blast, said to be the most serious disease of rice in Japan, was begun in the 

 summer of 1915, and is expected to continue for some years. The present 

 contribution deals with the host relation of the fungus, in the cross-inoculations, 

 morphological and cultural comparisons of Piricularia from various hosts, and 

 the ecology of the fungus and the source of early infection. Definite accounts 

 are claimed to exist of the occurrence of this disease in Japan at least two 

 centuries ago. 



Studies of the rice-blast fungus and of related species were made on cultures 

 obtained from rice, crabgrass, Italian millet, green foxtail, Zingiber minga, 

 and Z. ofiicinah -nnvn in various parts of Japan. The causal organisms were 

 studied in connection with - to which they are supposed to he closely 



related, and are technically described as new species, the one attacking Italian 

 milht and green foxtail as P. sctariar, and that attacking Z. mioga and 

 Z. officinale as /'. zin'iihcri. 



Fungus parasites of Bromus erectus. D. Crtvhkt (Bui. Soc. Vaud. get Xat., 

 51 (1917). No. 198. pp. 588-580). — An incomplete list is given of fungi parasitic 

 on B. crrctus. WpicMoe iuphina and Urocytti* a<jr<>i>!iri are discussed .-i^ being 

 more serious than the other forms, none of which are considered very destruc- 

 tive. 



Disease resistance in cabbage, L. R. Jonks (Pmr. Nat. Acad. Sri.. ) (1!US), 

 Xo. 2, pp. 4- /'■'. #08. 2).— The author summarizes results of work done or par- 

 ticipated in by himself in selecting cabbage strains for resl to yellows 

 (Fusarium conglutinnns) , as previously noted (E. S. R., 34. p. 542; 36, p. 248), 

 also results of work done by Tisdale on the factors internal to the plant which 

 are favorable to the activity of the organism or related organisms (E. S. K.. 

 36, pp. 748. S45), and that done by Gilman on the influence of soil temperatures in 

 this connection (E. S. R., 30. p. CIS). He states that the resistance observed 

 is due to the relations of the interior cells of the host to those of the parasite. 

 Resistant tissues apparently restrain the development of the parasite until 

 a protective cork formation has been established. Resistance appears to bo 

 a transmitted character, but hybrids show intermediate degrees, and resistance 

 appears, therefore, to be dependent upon a number of heritable factors. Envi- 

 ronmental factors have a marked influence on resistance. It is thought that 

 a resistant strain may be obtained from any vigorous, established variety, 

 since in case of some Fusariums (as well as other fungi) it is comparatively 

 easy to secure disease-resistant strains of host plants. 



The leaf spot disease of red clover caused by Macrosporium sarcinreforme. 

 L. J. Krakover (Ann. Rpt. Mich. Arnd. 8d., 19 (1917). pp. 81 ty». 



2).— Leaf spot of red clover, due to M. sarcinccforme and said to be different 



