850 EXPEEIMEXT STATION EECOED. 



The transmission of potato mosaic througli the tuber, E. J. Wobtley 

 {Science, n. ser., 42 {1915), Xo. 10S3, pp. 460, 46i).— The author states that 

 the mosaic disease of potato is very prevalent in Bermuda on the variety BUss 

 Triumph, the yiekl of affected plants being reduced from 10 to 75 per cent. 



An inspection of the fields on Long Island in which stock was being grown 

 for shipment to Bermuda for seed purposes showed the general presence of 

 mosaic on this variety. The same conditions existed in Maine, where stock for 

 Long Island had been obtained. 



Tubers from healthy and mosaic plants were obtained in Maine and later 

 planted in Bermuda, with the result that diseased plants were produced 

 through planting tubers from mosaic parent plants. The yield was greatly re- 

 duced due to the presence of the disease, but the experiments indicate that the 

 trouble may be controlled by field selection of stock intended for planting. 



It is believed that these experiments are the first to show definitely that the 

 potato mosaic disease is transmitted through the tubers. 



Powdery scab of potatoes in Oregon, F. D. Baixey (Science, n. ser., 42 {1915), 

 No. 1082, pp. 424, 425). — The occurrence of potato scab due to Spongospora 

 subterranea is reported. The lot of potatoes in which the disease was first 

 found is said to have been raised on a farm in the isolated district of Tilla- 

 mook Coimty, Oreg., where, according to the grower's statement, seed of the 

 variety was introduced from an eastern State some 12 or 15 years ago, and no 

 seed had been introduced since that time. A hasty survey of the county did 

 not show the presence of the disease on any other farm, but one diseased speci- 

 men was discovered at a store from which there was no possibility of tracing it 

 to the grower. 



The fact that the district is isolated and that potatoes are not raised in suf- 

 ficient quantity for export is believed to be the reason why the disease has not 

 been more generally disseminated. 



"Wart disease of potatoes, J. Eriksson {Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bui. 

 Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 5 {1914), No. 2, pp. 276-278).— Inquiry and 

 research in England since 1909 have shown that black scab of potato, caused by 

 Chrysophlyctis enrlohiotica {Simchytrium endohioticum), tends to spread slowly 

 but steadily, the organism retaining its virulence in the soil for years and re- 

 sisting all the ordinary fungicides but affecting different varieties of potato 

 unequally. Common English varieties are divided into three groups with refer- 

 ence to the resistance that they have shown to this disease. The formalin 

 treatment tested recently iu Sweden has already been noted. (E. S. R., 31, 

 p. S42). 



Withering of the panicle in rice, P. Poli {Gior. Risicolt., 4 {1914), Xo. 14 

 pp. 206-209, figs. 2; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, 

 and Plant Diseases, 5 {1914), No. 10, p. 1365). — Colatura, a disease of rice, is 

 described. It consists in a form of abortion of some flowers, which reduces the 

 yield. Certain Japanese varieties are more resistant than those native to Italy. 

 The disease is said to be entirely distinct from a somewhat similar injury to 

 the emerging panicle, which is caused by hail. 



As the result of researches carried out in different seasons, the disease is 

 considered due to excessive fertility combined with a period of intense cold 

 during the last phase of flower formation, while the panicle is still inclosed. 



A disease affecting- the sisal hemp plant, C. K. Banceoft {Jour. Bd. Agr. 

 Brit. Guiana, 7 {1914), No. 4, pp. 181, 182; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. IRome], 

 Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 5 {1914), No. 9, pp. 1246, 1247).— 

 Examination of material collected locally has confirmed the conclusions of 

 Shaw (E. S. R., 29, p. 346) regarding the identity and mode of attack of the 



