446 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



in Assam, causing the fear tliat this fungus is developing a race which will 

 be able to withstand the heat of the plains. 



Information was obtained regarding the methods of infection of sugar cane 

 other than by planting diseased cuttings, both in red rot and Cephalosporium 

 disease, also as regards smut. A disease of sugar cane closely resembling the 

 sereh disease, which causes so much loss in Java, was reported from eastern 

 Bengal and Assam. 



The plague of betel nut palms in Bengal and Assam, which has continued to 

 spread north and east, causing immense losses, was studied, and its cause is 

 thought to be Polyporus (Fomes) lucidus. Lime is said to have a beneficial 

 effect. 



An Exobasidium closely related to that causing blister blight of tea was dis- 

 covered on Camellia drupifera, but did not prove identical with blister blight, 

 which was severe in parts of Assam. The tea seed bug {Poscilocoris latus) was 

 further investigated as to its susiJected role in the fungus infection of tea 

 seed. 



A new investigation of wilt of Java indigo was entered upon. Cotton wilt of 

 Lilapur was thought to result from an impermeable stratum some distance 

 below the surface of the soil. Buri cotton appeared to be immune to the wilt. 



Studies were reported on various other diseases of cultivated plants and of 

 forest trees. About 200 additions were made to the parasitic flora of India, in- 

 cluding a number new to science. A list of publications issued by the institute 

 is appended. 



Parasitic injury to winter grains, K. Stormer and R. Kleine {Deut. Landw. 

 Fresse, 40 {1913), No. 31, pp. 377, 37S).— The authors, besides giving a discus- 

 sion of some insect injuries, describe a simple method for testing the degrees of 

 germinability and safety of seed grain of winter wheat and rye. This consists 

 in placing samples 4 cm. deep in moist quartz sand for 10 days and noting the 

 percentage of sprouted grains and also of grains discolored by the fungus. 

 The test need be applied only after such years as 1912, characterized by damp 

 or wet weather during the ripening and harvesting period, as such dry years as 

 1911 show practically none of the infection, which is said to be due to a 

 Fusarium. A treatment for the seed, to be applied when found necessary, con- 

 sists in stirring the grain thoroughly in a 0.001 per cent solution of corrosive 

 sublimate and covering with wet sacks over night to allow imbibition of the solu- 

 tion, after which it should be planted immediately. 



Abnormal barley ears, E. Molz {Deut. Landw. Fresse, 40 {1913), No. 33, 

 p. 4O6, figs. 3). — The author describes a case observed in which ears of barley 

 showed loose structure with frizzled and crumpled beards, supposed to result 

 from abnormally rapid growth of the stalk due to wet weather following dry 

 weather and resulting poor development of the leaf sheath. A similar appear- 

 ance was noted in case of barley the leaf sheaths of which had been injured in 

 the same stage by hail. Cases somewhat similar are cited in which insect or 

 fungus attack was followed by a like abnormality. 



Injuries noted to clover and rye, L. Hiltneb {Frakt. BI. Fflanzcnhau u. 

 Schuts, n. ser., 11 {1913), No. If, pp. 54-56). — The author states that in several 

 parts of Bavaria crops from clover seed obtained from Italy and southern 

 France were more severely attacked by clover canker {Sclerotinia trifoUorum) 

 and by nematodes than were those from seed grown in the more northerly 

 parts of Europe. This is ascribed to their habit of continuing growth until 

 later in the fall, and thus entering the winter poorly provided for as regards 

 reserve and protective substances. Wet weather, causing luxuriant growth 

 during the previous autumn, with late cutting favors development of fungi and 

 also weakens the plants. Of three fields alike in all respects except that two 



