742 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



ITstilago vaillantii on Chionodoxa luciliae, R. C. Davie and M. Wilson 

 (Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb., 8 (1914), No. 38, pp. 227, 228, fig. 1).—In March, 

 1913, U. vaillantii was found in the anthers of C. luciliw in the Royal Botanical 

 Garden, Edinburgh. The fungus was studied in this connection, but no infor- 

 mation is yet available regarding the method of infection in case of this plant, 

 or whether this may be brought about by use of spores of this fungus from 

 anthers of Scilla UfoUa, in v/hich it commonly occurs. 



The crown gall of alfalfa, O. T. Wilson {Science, n. ser., ^1 {1915), No. 

 1065, p. 797). — The author gives a brief account of certain facts observed in 

 the life history of the organism Urophlyctis alfalfas, the cause of crown gall 

 of alfalfa. The presence of a Plasmodium as the vegetative stage of the parasite 

 and the entire absence of mycelium at any stage is said to suggest that possibly 

 the organism should be removed from the genus Urophlyctis. 



Gummosis of beets, G. Arkaud {Compt. Rend. Acad. 8ci. [Paris], 160 {1915), 

 No. 11, pp. 350-352). — A gumming disease of beet roots is described. 



The causative organism, which is an intercellular bacterium, is said to be 

 closely allied morphologically to Bacterium mori. The attack appears to be 

 conditioned or favored by injury to the roots from cold, though several fungi 

 are found on the exterior portions of diseased roots. The financial loss is due 

 largely to the transformation of saccharose and the production of a gum which 

 is difficult to eliminate. 



Late blight of celery, H. L. Rees {Washington Sta., West. Wash. Sta., Mo. 

 Bui., 2 {1915), No. 11, pp. 11-18, figs. 4)- — A description is given of the late 

 blight of celery, due to Septoria pctroselini apii, and notes are given on its life 

 history. 



In an account of spraying experiments it is stated that two applications of 

 Bordeaux mixture completely protected the crop. However, as the season was 

 considered exceptionally unfavorable to the blight, it was not concluded that 

 two sprayings will always control the disease. 



The effect of planting in single and double rows and of board v. dirt blanch- 

 ing was tested. Single rows and board blanching, by reason of securing 

 greater aeration, reduced the amount of disease. 



Eight varieties of celery were tested, and marked differences found in their 

 susceptibility to disease. For the control of this disease the author recommends 

 transplanting of only healtliy pltints, frequent rotation of crops, spraying with 

 Bordeaux mixture, and planting the least susceptible varieties. 



In addition to the above, attention is called to a physiological disease of celery, 

 said to be due to an excess of moisture. 



A bacterial disease of lettuce, Nellie A. Beown {U. S. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. 

 Research, 4 {1915), No. 5, pp. 475-478). — A preliminary report is given of a 

 bacterial disease of lettuce plants, which was tirst determined from diseased 

 lettuce plants received in this Department in January, 1915, from Nairn, La. 

 When received the plants were full grown, with some of the outer leaves 

 shriveled and dried, while others were in a soft-rotted condition. The centers 

 of the heads were sound, but between the center and these dead outer leaves 

 were others affected in varying degrees. 



A study of the diseased material showed the presence of bacteria in and 

 between the cells. These have been studied and compared with various known 

 organisms, and the author suggests the name Bacterium viridilividum n. sp. for 

 this form, owing to its peculiar appearance when grown on steamed potato. 



A review is made of the rather brief literature of the bacterial diseases of 

 lettuce, none of which seem to be the same as that here described. 



Some diseases of the potato. — IV, Late blight or Irish potato blight, Ethel 

 M. DoiDGE {Agr. Jour. Union So. Africa, 8 {1914), No. 2, pp. 205-211, figs. 6).— 



