50 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECORD. 



during the summer of 3913. The injury was widely spread, being most jaarked 

 in the bottom-land districts, wh6re in some cases more than one-haif of the 

 bolls had fallen by the last of August. 



It is stated that not suflBcient work has been done to deterrulne the cause 

 of the injurs^ although from the general appearance it is thought to be due to 

 some organism, probably a fungus. 



The Mycogone disease of mushrooms and its control, F. J. Yeih meter 

 iU. 8. Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 121 (1914), pp. 2Jf, pis. 3, figs. 5).— A description is given 

 of a disease of cultivated mushrooms, which is thought to be probably due to 

 M. perrticiosa. 



The removal of the diseased mushrooms as soon as they appear and the 

 fumigation of the house with formaldehyde gas are recommended as methods 

 of control. A bibliography is appended. 



Notes on. potato diseases from the Northwest, F. D. Bailey ( Phytopa- 

 thology, 4 (1914), No. Jf, pp. 32U 322, pi. 1). — Bi-ief descriptions are given of 

 silver scurf due to Spondyloclaili urn atrovirens, which is said to have been 

 reported in Oregon and western Washington, a disease caused by Stysanus 

 stemonitis, and a root rot of potatoes due to the attacks of Armillaria mellea. 



The southern bacterial wilt in New Jersey, M. T. Cook {Phytopathology, 

 4 {1914), No. 4, pp. 277, 278, fig. 1). — The author reports the occurrence in 

 epidemic form of the potato wilt due to Bacillus solanacearum, and reports 

 some correspondence indicating that the tomato was also attacked, but not so 

 severely as the potato plant. The severity of the disease on the potato was 

 thought to be probably due to a very mild winter followed by an exceptionally 

 diy growing season for the early potato crop. 



Some diseases of the potato. — I, Bacterial wilt or vrot-pootje, Ethel M. 

 DoiDGE {Agr. Jour. Union So. AfricO', 7 {1914), No. 5, pp. 698-703, figs. 8).— 

 This is a brief description of the methods and results of infection of the potato 

 by Bacillus solanacearum, which is known to harbor also in several other 

 related plants named as of common occurrence. 



No cure is offered, but preventive measures include removal and destruction 

 at once of all wilted plants, care to prevent wounding in transplanting in case 

 of tomatoes, etc., and keeping down solanaceous plants in infected soil. Leaf- 

 eating insects are also to be exterminated. 



Leaf spot, a disease of the sugar beet, C. O. Townsend {U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 618 {1914), PP- 18, figs. 10). — A popular description is given of 

 the leaf spot of sugar beets due to Cercospora heticola, which the author says 

 may be controlled on a commercial scale by thorough rotation of crops and 

 deep fall plowing. A proper and uniform supply of soil moisture, spraying. 

 and the proper disposition of beet tops and stable manure are also important 

 aids. The disease is said to be distributed by wind, water, insects, and man and 

 other animals; and it reduces the tonnage and sugar content of the beet, as 

 well as seriously injures the feeding value of the beet tops. 



The stem rot of the sweet potato, L. L. Harteb and Ethel C. Field {Phyto- 

 pathology, 4 {1914), No. 4, pp. 279-303, pis. 3, figs. 2).— According to the authors 

 the stem rot of sweet potatoes may be caused by either Fusarium Mtatatis or 

 F. hyperoxysporum. These organisms are vascular parasites, invading the 

 bundles of all parts of the plant and producing a brown discoloration. Heavy 

 losses are reported through stem rot in some localities, notably in New Jersey 

 and Delaware. Stem rot results in a loss of stand and decrease in yield. The 

 majority of infections take place in the field, although it is said the organism 

 may grow from diseased potatoes into the slips produced therefrom. 



Careful selection of seed and careful sterilization of seed beds should be 

 adopted. 



