348 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. \Yo\.4?, 



is said to be a new species of Fusariuni, for whicli the name Fusarium annum 

 is proposed. Investigations that liave heen in progress for some time liave 

 shown that there is a close correlation between the occurrence of the disease 

 and the moisture content of the soil, and on this account it is recommended 

 that in planting peppers light, well-drained soils should be selected, and irriga- 

 tion should be practised only when necessary and not according to any fixed 

 schedule. 



Wart disease of potatoes [in England] {Gard. Chron.,3.ser.,66 (1919), No. 

 nit, p. 190). — Sporadic cases of potato black wart having been reported from 

 various points, a brief account is given for the benefit of growers of the infec- 

 tion, early and late stages, spreading, eftects, and control of this disease. The 

 only method known of raising clean crops in affected districts is by restricting 

 cultivation to immune varieties, a number of which are now available. 



Effect of fungi on the germination of sugar cane, C. W. Edgerton and 

 C. C. MoRELAND {Louisiana Stas. Bui. 169 (1920), pp. 3-1,0, pis. 9, fif/s. ;2).— The 

 problem of the deterioration of sugar cane has been under investigation at the 

 Louisiana Stations for a number of years, and the authors present the results 

 of some of tlieir experiments. 



Sugar cane, it was found, does not germinate as well in Louisiana as in the 

 Tropics, the average germination being only about 20 per cent. Among the 

 factors instrumental in the deterioration of seed cane are certain parasitic 

 fungi, among them CoUetotrichum, falcatuni, Melanconium sOrCcJiari, Gnomonia 

 iliau, Marasmius pHcatus, Thielaviopsis paradoxa, and species of Fusarium and 

 Scopularia. The most serious injury to germination is said to be done by G. 

 falcatvm. M. saechari is said to be abundant on deteriorating cane, but it does 

 not seem to decrease the germination percentage. Some of the other species of 

 fungi occur, but no evidence was obtained indicating tiiat they directly reduce 

 the germination. 



The optimum temperature for the growth of the several fungi studied was 

 about 27° C. (80.6° F.), and most of the forms make very slow growth at the 

 normal temperature of the soil during the winter season. In order to prevent 

 injury by these fungi, the authors carried on some experiments in treating 

 seed cane with formaldehyde and corrosive sublimate, and while the tests are 

 not considered conclusive, the results are believed to be encouraging. The best 

 test gave an increase of 50 per cent in tonnage of cane where tlie seed was 

 treated with corrosive sublimate. 



A bibliography of the subject is appended. 



The diseases of tomatoes, W. A. McCucbin {Canada Expt. Farms Bui. 35, 2. 

 ser. {1918), pp. 16, pis. S). — The author gives a key for the determination of the 

 different diseases to which the tomato is subject, after which popular descrip- 

 tions are given of the different diseases and so far as known methods for con- 

 trol are suggested. 



Control of watermelon anthracnose by spraying, F. C. Meier {U. 8. Dept. 

 Agr., Dept. Circ. 90 {1920), pp. 11, flfis. 9). — ^The author gives a popular account 

 of methods for control of watermelon anthracnose in which lie recommends 

 the use of Bordeaux mixture thoroughly applied to the plants. The spraying 

 should be done on a bright, sunny day in order that the mixture may dry- 

 thoroughly, and if possible spraying when heavy bloom is on should be avoided. 

 The use of more than 4 lbs. of copper sulphate to 50 gal. of water may result 

 in serious burning of the foliage. 



The control of apple blotch, F. H. Beach {Ohio Agr. Col. Ext. Bui., 13 

 {1919-20), No. 8, pp. 16, figs. i7).— Suggestions for the control of apple blotch 

 and the results of highly successful demonstrations in control are given. 



