848 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



An examination of the plants in the laboratory showed that the wheat kernels 

 were infected with a fungus which is believed to be an uudescribed species of 

 Podosporiella, a description of which is promised later. 



A new alfalfa leaf spot in America, L. E. Melchees (Science, n. ser., 42 

 (1915), No. 1085, pp. 536, 537). — The author reports having observed in the 

 vicinity of Manhattan, Kans., alfalfa plants which were not producing a normal 

 amount of foliage, the stems being sparsely set with spotted leaves, which were 

 affected with a singular leaf spot. The diseased plants all presented an un- 

 thrifty appearance and were also somewhat smaller than normal. 



The spots, which were generally circular or elliptical, were scattered irregu- 

 larly over the entire surface, frequently occurring along the margins. During 

 the earliest stages the spots were small and dark reddish-brown. They soon 

 increased in size and had a dark-brown margin bounding the ashen-gray center. 

 The diseased tissue did not fall out and the leaves remained intact. The spots 

 were confined almost exclusively to the leaflets, but they have been observed on 

 tlie petioles. 



Material has been studied in the laboratory, and experiments show the 

 pathogenicity of the fungus, which is said to belong to the genus Pleosphoeru- 

 lina. The species has not been definitely determined. 



Ti-eatment of beet seed for control of root scab, W. Kexjger and G. Wimmee 

 (Ztschr. Ver. Deut. Zuckerinclus., No. 705 (1914), II, pp. S45-S^7).— Comparative 

 tests with several fungicidal preparations for prevention of root scab showed 

 little or no protective value except in case of carbolic acid of 0.5 per cent 

 strength, which reduced attack to 5 or 10 per cent of the whole number of 

 plants. 



Celery diseases (Im^t. Phytopath. Wageningen, Vlugschr. 9 (1914), PP- 3). — 

 Leaf spot (Septoria apii) is reported as widely prevalent. An effective seed 

 treatment is 0.25 per cent formalin. Only soil free from infection should be 

 used, and Bordeaux mixture is advised if the disease appears on the plants. 



The same seed treatment is applicable to rust or scab (Phoma apiicola). 

 Seed beds on infected soil require treatment with strong formalin. 



A bacterial rot for which no effective treatment is yet available is also noted 

 on ground having deficient drainage. 



Diseases of crucifers (Inst. Phytopath. Wageningen, Ylugschr. 10 (1914), pp. 

 4, fig. I). — Finger-and-toe of crucifers (Plasmodiophora brassicce) is controlled 

 by repeated applications of lime. Notes are given on Phoma oleracea, which 

 is controlled by measures effective as against the cabbage fly (Anthomyia 

 hrassicw), carrying the infection, also on P. apiicola, which is controlled by 

 ti'eating the seed and seed bed with formalin. 



Root nodosities of crosses between swedes and turnips, L. Hedweg (Internat. 

 Inst. Agr. [Rome'i, Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 5 (1914), No. 7, 

 pp. 833-836, pis. 4). — This is a short account of information obtained in Den- 

 mark in researches on crosses between swedes and turnips and the nodosities 

 occurring on their roots. These nodosities, which are of various forms accord- 

 ing as the hybrid in question is rape-like, swede-like, or turnip-like, are de- 

 scribed separately, and their characters are contrasted with those of the 

 finger-and-toe swellings caused by Plasmodiophora brassicce. 



It is claimed that the constancy of the Danish strains of swedes and turnips 

 resulting from years of selection may now be considered as thoroughly 

 established. 



Peppermint rust, B. Gr6f (Kis6rlet. Kozlem.., 17 (1914), No. 4, pp. 657-^61, 

 figs. 2). — The phases of attack by Puccinia menthce on Japanese peppermint are 

 described. 



