DISEASES OF PLANTS. 51 



Report of the director of forests, N, W. Jolly {Ann. Rpt. Dept. Pub. Lands 

 Queensland, 1913, pp. }ft-ol, pis. 3). — ^A report on the administratiou, manage- 

 meut, and exploitation of the state forests in Queenshmd during the calendar 

 year 1913. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Plant diseases, E. Pbillieux (Min. Afft: [France], Ann. Serv. Epiphyties, 1 

 (1912), pp. 9-12). — This is a portion of the phytopathological report for 1912, 

 and deals briefly witli some diseases of cereals, tubers, crucifers, legumes, 

 vines, and orchard and forest trees, as noted in various parts of France. 



Plant pathology, H. Tbyon {Anri. Rpt. Dept. Agr. and Stock [Queensland], 

 1913-1 'i, pp. 117-119). — Notes are given on a number of plant diseases of agri- 

 cultural and horticultural crops, and a synopsis is pi'esented of the Diseases in 

 Plants Act of 1S96 and the inspection carried on under this act. 



Studies on Orobanche, F. Gueguen (Blin. Agr. [France], Ann. Serv. Epi- 

 •phyties, 1 (1912), pp. 433-436) .—This is a brief preliminary study of the effects 

 due to O. minor, parasitic on clover and parsnip in parts of France. The tuber- 

 ous modifications of the subterranean parts in the case of parsnip are compared 

 with tbose noted in rootlets of grape stocks'attacked by phylloxera. 



Foot rot of cereals, A. Moreau (Min. Agr. [France], Ann. Serv. Epiphyties, 

 1 (1912), pp. 437-440)- — The results are briefly reported and discussed of an 

 inquiry circulated among grain producers requesting information regarding 

 foot rot or stalk disease of cereals in parts of France, particularly in the 

 Paris Basin. 



Meteorological conditions seem to play an important part, particularly those 

 permitting growth of the crop in winter or early spring. Excessive nitriflcation 

 also apparently favors the activity of fungi. Early seeding (September and 

 October) appeared more favorable to the development of the fungi than later 

 (November to spring). Variety is significant in this connection, a degree of 

 relationship existing among several of the varieties most susceptible to foot rot. 

 The influence of previous croppings appears to be twofold, affecting the chem- 

 ical composition of the soil and the biologcal conditions (as lateness of sea- 

 son, etc.). 



Protective measures suggested include the choice of resistant varieties, late 

 seeding, rotation with reference to period of the year occupied by the crops, de- 

 struction of stubble, and use of fungicides. 



Smut disease in maize (Queensland Agr. Jour., n. ser., 2 (1914), No. 6, pp. 

 400, 401)- — ^This is a brief account of the appearance of Ustilago maydis on 

 Indian corn near Toowoomba in 1914, with a brief discussion of its dissemination 

 and of its control by the removal of all affected stalks before the breaking of 

 the smut tumors, the nouuse of such plants for feeding, and the nonuse of 

 affected land and land over which prevailing winds or wash may carry the 

 spores. 



Winterkilling of wheat, E. Schaffnit (Jahresder. Kaiser Wilhelms Inst. 

 Landw. Broviherg, 1913, pp. 21-23). — Studies with wheat varieties are said to 

 have shown that the seed when subjected to different low temperatures for dif- 

 ferent periods showed an increase of injury corresponding to the increased 

 duration and loM^ering. Plantlets were ordinarily injured very little at from 

 — 5 to — 10° C, but considerably at — 15 to — 20°. The young growing points 

 showed considerable resistance, owing presumably to the iireseuce of bud scales 

 and the colloidal condition of certain cell contents, this portion thus determinmg 

 the fate of the plant. The fact that roots are less subject to temperature ex- 

 tremes than are aerial portions insures supplies to the aerial parts as soon as 

 the temperature permits utilization thereof. 



