DISEASES OF PLANTS. 47 



It was fouml that smut infection Ijears an inverse ratio to the temperature 

 during the germination period of the grain, and that under certain conditions 

 the less susceptible varieties were smutted more tlian the susceptible Ivinds. 

 The conchision is reached that stinlving smut infection of wheat is favored by 

 low temperatures during germination, or in other words by late fall as compared 

 with early spring planting. 



The treatment of stinking' smut of wheat, D. McAlpine (Jour. Dciit. Agr. 

 Victofia, S {1910), ISio. 1, p. 53). — The author gave a practical demonstration to 

 farmers as to the best methods of treating wheat for the prevention of stink- 

 ing smut, using coj^per sulphate 10 : 50 and formalin 1 : 40. Eleven days after 

 treatment the seed was planted, together with a similar plat untreated. At 

 harvest time 1 per cent of smut was found on the untreated plat, while on the 

 treated plats, for the copper sulphate 1 head was found smutted and for the 

 formalin none. 



Bunt tests, 1909, A. E. V. Richardson {Jour. Dcpt. Agr. So. A».s^., 13 {1910), 

 No. 6, pp. Jf91-49-'i). — Experiments were conducted at the Parafield Experi- 

 mental Farm in South Australia for the purpose of testing the efficiency of 

 various fungicides for the prevention of bunt or stinlving smut in wheat. 

 Copper sulphate in 0.5 to 3 per cent solutions, formalin 1 : 4.80, 1 : 400, and 

 1 : 320. iron suli>hate in 14 and 20 per cent solutions, and 2 proprietary fungi- 

 cides were used. The smutted seed were innuersed for 5 minutes in the solu- 

 tions and the results as to germination and smutting for each experiment 

 recorded. 



It was found that the iron sulphate was worthless and the copper sulphate 

 effective in controlling the smut, but deleterious to the germination of the 

 seed. The formalin and one of the patent fungicides not only controlled the 

 smut but also did not appreciably injure the germination of the wheat. 



A new myxomycete, M. Molliard {Bui. *S'or. Bot. France, 56 (W09), No. 1, 

 pp. 23-25). — A parasitic fungus was found infesting the inflorescence of Tri- 

 glorhin jxthixtrc, forming galls similar to those produced on crncifers by 

 Vyfitopus candidus. On examination it proved to be an undescribed species, 

 for which the name Tctramyxa trigJochiuis is suggested. 



The results of experiments in 1908 to control the cucurbit mildew, G. 

 KocK (Ztschr. Iju)du\ Ycrsnchxw. (htrrr., 12 (1909), No. 2, pp. 67-73).— 

 After giving a brief summary of the results obtained in previous experiments 

 (E. S. R., 20, p. 247) in attempts to control cucurbit mildew {Plasmopara 

 ctihciifiis) the author records a series of experiments conducted in lOOS, in which 

 the cucumbers were cultivated (1) in flat rows, (2) in ridges, and (3) on wires, 

 and spra.ved at regular intervals with a 1 per cent solution of Bordeaux mixture. 

 The wire culture method gave the best results in regard to attacks from the 

 mildew, but the spraying in every instance decreased the yield of fruit. 



Some fungus diseases of potatoes, F. Tidswell and T. H. Johnston (Dept. 

 Agr. N. »S'. ir«?r.s', Fnnncrs' liiiJ. 31, pp. 25, pU. 8). — Popular descrijttions to- 

 gether with suggestions for control are given of the following diseases of 

 potatoes: T^ate blight or rot iPhyiophthorn infcstant^), leaf spot or early blight 

 (Altrrniiria fiolani). dry rot ( Fusarium Mohtni or F. o-rynporum), scab (Ooapora 

 HOdhicH), bacteriosis or brown rot {BaciUufi fiolnnaccarum), and nematode 

 diseases. 



Wart disease of the potato, W. A. Orton and Ethel C Field {U. S. Dcpf. 

 .Agr., Bur. Plant Indiia. Circ. 52, pp. 11). — A description Is given of the wart 

 disease of the potato, due to Chry.'iophlycliH cndohioticn, attention being called 

 to it on account of the recent discovery of its presence in Newfoundland (E. S. 

 R.. 22, p. 545). The nature of the parasite and the distribution of the disease 

 are described at considerable length, and attention is called to the lack of leg- 



