1019] Dl 0] PLANTS. 747 



exceeding!} One precipitate ol a copper soap compound, the particles of which 

 appeared to be In a Btate of emulsion In the snap solution. Slight differences 

 in composition gave considerable variation In the appearance, behavior, and 

 effects of tiif compound. 



Since the mixture contains soap hi excess, it is possible to Increase the wetting 

 powers greatly by combining with it a 2 per cent paraffin emulsion, the <on>- 

 bined mixture adhering readily to resistanl sin-fines like the summer stage of 

 the American gooseberry mildew. Without the paraffin emulsion the copper 

 Btearate mixture spreads well on the foliage, and when dry leaves an almost 

 Imperceptible dim of exceedingly One, close particles, which may be regarded 



for practical fungicidal purposes as continuous. Such a sprayed surface has a 



further advantage in that it resists wetting completely, water running off in 

 drops instead of spreading. This may be due to a slighl decomposition of the 

 copper stearate Into stearic acid or may be a property of the stearate Itself. 



A preliminary test appeared to show that copper stearate may be sufficiently 

 dissolved by root hairs to cause copper poisoning, this fad Leading to the con- 

 clusion that it may he employed as a fungicide. 



Diseases of grains and forage crops, M. T. Cook and J. P. IIelyar (New 

 Jersey Stas. Giro. 102 (1018), pp. 16, figs. 5). — Popular notes are given on the 

 more common diseases to which cereals and forage crops are subject. 



Oat smut control, \V. Van Pelt (Mo. Bui Ohio Sta., .', (,1919), No. 3, pp. 92- 

 95). — Directions are given for the treatment of oats for the prevention of smut, 

 the so-called dry application, which consists of spraying the seed with a strong 

 solution of form-aldehyde, being compared with sprinkling the seed with a solu- 

 tion of 1 pint formaldehyde to 40 gal. water. The results obtained by the dif- 

 ferent methods Indicate that formaldehyde solutions (1 pint to 40 gal.) lire gen- 

 erally absolutely safe and effective, while the so-called dry treatment is unsafe 

 on account of injury to germination. 



Fungoid and insect pests and their control. — I, Vegetable and pulse crops, 

 F. O. Mosi.ey (Reading, [Eng.]: Author, 1918, pp. 26, figs. 53). — Brief accounts 

 are given of the life history, injurious effects, and control measures in con- 

 nection with animal pests, slime molds, and fungi attacking vegetables and 

 legumes. 



Further experiments on the Rhizoctonia disease of asparagus, P>. T. P. 

 Barker ami O, T. Gimingham (Univ. Bristol, Ann. Rpt. Agr, and Hort. Re- 

 s, tirih Sta., 1917. pp. 28-32. fig. 1). — The results of studies subsequent to those 

 previously Doted I E. s. Et., v,S, p. 64S) and employing the same general pro- 

 cedure are said to confirm the conclusions previously reached, and to afford 

 ground for the hope that an effective method for dealing with pathogenic soil 

 fungi ma] at last he evolved. The time of applications of the fungicides is 

 thought to be an important factor in this work, as the fungus appears to 

 winter in the soil in a resting condition. The treatment was up]. lied about the 

 middle of April. It is thought possible that a later application might have 

 proved more effective. 



Onion diseases found in Ohio, W. Van Pelt (Mo. Bui. Ohio Sta., .} (1919), 

 No. 3, pp. 70-76. flga. 6). — Descriptions and suggestions for control art- given for 

 the principal diseases occurring in Ohio mi onions. 



Potato diseases in New Jersey, M. T. Cook (Nev> Jersey Bt08. Circ. 105 

 (1919), pp. 38, figs. 19).— The author describes potato diseases known to occur 

 in New Jersey and offers suggestions for their control. 



Potato spraying, S. Pl< KEBINQ (Qord. Chron., S. S&r., o'J (1918), No. lf,.-,7, p. 

 131). — Comparative tests with Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Bordorite mixtures at 

 Wuburu are said to have shown that of these mixture.^ Bordorite possessed 



