148 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



The control of the loose smuts of barley and wheat, O. Appel (III us. Landw. 

 Ztg., 30 {1910), 'So. 15, p. 126, fig. i).— This is a popular discussion of the 

 principles underlying the methods of combating these grain smuts, together with 

 a description of a modified hot-water treatment for their control. 



Studies on the toxicolog-y of Diplodia zese, H. S. Reed {N. Y. Med. Jour., 91 

 (1910), No. 4, pp. 164-169, flgs. 2; abs. in Science, n. ser., 31 (1910), No. 794, 

 p. -'/'37). — An examination of the literature dealing with the etiology of pellagra 

 is said to show great diversity of opinion as to the identity of the fungi held 

 responsible for the deleterious property of the affected maize. The author calls 

 attention to the recent spread in this country of D. sew, which was almost 

 simultaneous with the appearance of pellagra. The fungus is said to be present 

 in European countries where pellagra is found, and recent studies have shown 

 that it lives parasitically upon the growing maize as well as saprophytically on 

 the mature grain. 



Chemical and physiological experiments on the properties of maize infected 

 with Diplodia are in progress, and the physiological experiments have shown 

 that such maize is toxic to small animals. The author has been able to isolate 

 from meal infected with Diplodia a product which seems to resemble the 

 pellagrozein isolated by Lombroso. 



The pests and diseases of New Zealand Phormium, T. W. Kirk and A. H. 

 Cockayne (New Zeal. Dept. Agr. Ann. Rpt., 11 (1909), pp. 286-289, pis. 9).— 

 This is a summary of the fungus and insect enemies of the New Zealand hemp 

 (P. tenax). in which the characteristics and distribution are given of surface 

 mildew (Cladosporium sp. ), leaf spot and black smut, which are caused by 

 fungi not yet definitely identified, rust (MeJampsora sp.), and root fungi, several 

 of which destroy the roots of Phormium, notably a species of Fusarium which 

 especially attacks young plants. 



Studies on the potato fusaria, O. Appel and W. Wollenwebeb (Mitt. K. 

 Binl. Atist. Land u. Forstic, 1909, No. 8, pp. 17-19). — This is a brief summary 

 of our present knowledge and theories concerning the part that species of 

 Fusarium is supposed to play in producing certain diseases of the potato. 



The blackleg' of the potato, D. Hegyi (Ztschr. Pflanzenkrank., 20 (1910), 

 No. 2, pp. 79-81; Coinpt. Rend. Acad. Sei. [Paris], 150 (1910), No. 6, pp. 347, 

 348). — This is a brief discussion of the probable infection of healthy potato 

 plants by means of wireworm injuries or other wounds on the underground 

 parts of the plants and the subsequent spread of the bacteria throughout the 

 potato from this infection point. 



The leaf-roll disease of potatoes, O. Appel and W. Kreitz (Mitt. K. Biol. 

 Anst. Land u. Forstio., 1909, No. 8, pp. 15-17). — A brief review of the life 

 history, methods of control, and theories as to the cause of this disease, is 

 given. 



Notes on seed potatoes, F. Parisot (Bui. Mens. Off. Renseig. Agr. [Paris], 

 9 (1910), No. 1 pp. 21-24). — The cause of the diseased condition noted in a 

 previous article (B. S. R., 19, p. 735), wherein seed tubers after winter storage 

 are soft, with the surface shriveled and dried, and with small eyes and slender 

 sprouts, is claimed to be due to an intoxication or poisoning produced by the 

 action of the carbon dioxid arising from the respiration of the tubers them- 

 selves while in storage. As means of prevention, storage at low temperatures 

 and the elimination of the carbon dioxid from the storage rooms are recom- 

 mended. 



Leaf diseases of the celery (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 16 (1910), No. 12, 

 pp. 1010, 1011, fig. i).— General descriptions of the chai'acteristics and means of 

 dissemination of two leaf diseases (PhiiUdsticta apil and Scptorta petroselini) 

 are giveu. As a preventive measure, spraying with half-strength Bordeaux 



