546 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



New observations on ergot, R. Stager {CentbL Bakt. [etc.l, 2. Abt., 27 

 (1910), No. 1-3, pp. 67-73). — After discussing the taxonomic position of a Clavi- 

 ceps on Poa annua, the author gives the following new hosts of the genus 

 Claviceps: Melica ciliata, Deschampsia flcxuosa, Scsleria (irgentea, Festuca 

 nubigcna. Ataxia horsfieldii, CalamagrostiM jarauica, and Spartina stricta. 

 The role that insects play in the dissemination of ergot is also discussed. 



Fungi as a cause of the lodging of cereal crops, N. Dombrovski (Kho- 

 ■zyaistvo, 1909, pp. 334, 335; abs. in Zliur. Opiiitn. Agron. (Russ. Jour. Expt. 

 Landw.), 10, 1909, No. 4. P- 558). — The author shows that the fungus Ophio- 

 bolus graminis is an important cause of the falling or lodging of cereal crops, 

 and as it attacks the plants most frequently when these are growing in wet 

 places the draining of such soils is recommended as a measure for combating 

 the fungus. 



The combating of the stinking smut of wheat, E. Jordi (Jahresber. Landw. 

 SchuJe Riitti, 1908-9, pp. 89, 90; abs. in CcntbJ. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt.. 26 

 (1910), No. 16-17, p. ^98). — In a series of experiments on the control of stinlj- 

 ing smut of wheat by seed treatment several immersions of the seed in Bor- 

 deaux mixture gave the best results, but this process was found to be too 

 tedious. Next in efficiency came the soaking of the seed for 16 hours in a 0.5 

 per cent solution of copper sulphate, and third, soaking for 4 hours in a 0.1 

 per cent formaldehyde solution. Both gave good results, but in each instance 

 the germinating power of the seed was injured. 



A bacterial disease of alfalfa, W. G. Sackett (Colorado Sta. Bui. 158, pp. 

 3-32, pis. 3). — The history, distribution, gross characteristics (B. S. R., 22, p. 

 46), cause, methods of infection, technical descriptions, including the morpho- 

 logical, cultural, physical, and biochemical features of the casual organism 

 (Pscudomonas medicaginis n. sp. ), and methods of control are given. 



The disease is found in 5 counties in Colorado, but is especially destructive 

 throughout the Gypsum Valley in Eagle County, and is also reported from Utah, 

 New Mexico, Nebraska, and Kansas. 



The unusual fact that only the first cutting was badly diseased made a satis- 

 factory explanation of the method of infection more difficult, but after a care- 

 ful investigation of alfalfa fields most subject to the disease the conclusion was 

 reached that freezes and frosts which cause the epidermis on the stems to split 

 open over the first 6 internodes, thereby exposing the succulent moist tissues to 

 infection from germ laden dust blown into these cracks, was the main cause 

 of infection. The later cuttings, not having been subject to such weather con- 

 ditions, escaped serious infection. 



For controlling the blight, the introduction of resistant varieties, especially 

 those which can withstand late spring freezes, is recommended. The clipping 

 of the frosted alfalfa as soon as it is reasonably certain that all danger from 

 frost is past,* thus affording an opportunity for an early growth of a new 

 cutting, is also advised. 



Stem blight, a new bacterial disease of alfalfa, W. G. Sackett (Colorado 

 Sta. Bui. 159, pp. 8-15, i)l. 1). — An abbreviated discussion of the preceding 

 bulletin. 



Recent investigations on the heart rot of beets, E. Griffon and A. Mau- 

 BLANc (Bill. Trimest. 8oc. Mycol. France, 26 (1910), No. 1, pp. 126-131, pi. 1, 

 fig. 1). — In a previous publication (E. S. R., 21, p. 642) the authors described 

 the disease commonly known as the heart rot of beets. Attention is called to 

 the presence of Alternaria and Cladosporium with Phoma iabiflca in connection 

 with the disease, and the authors have made a study of the different fungi 

 to determine whether they might not be phases in the life history of the same 



