844 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



[Potassium permanganate treatment for seed grains], K. L. I^^gebt {Selsk. 

 Khoz., 191J,, pp. 13J,3-JSJ,6: ahs. in Mat. Mikol. i Fifopatol. Ros.^., 1 {1915), ^o. 2, 

 p. 66). — Tlie author obtained a perfect control of wheat smut by soaking seed 

 i hour in potassium permanganate solution at the rate of about i oz. to 3 gal. 

 of w.'iter. A solution practically 10 limes stronger than tl)is did not affect the 

 germinating power of the grain. This treatment, according to the author, is 

 less expensive than the usual formalin method, and. besides, the seed thus 

 treated is not attractive to birds on account of a black color which it takes on 

 in soaking. 



Blight in maize (Agr. Gaz. X. S. Wales, 26 (1915), Xo. 5, p. 588).— Reports 

 sent in by ofTuials are said to indicate that a leaf blight of maize, due to a 

 Helminthosporium, causes severe loss in localities where heavy rainfall and 

 hot steamy weather continue for some time. The trouble is apparently aug- 

 mented by the continuous growing of maize on the same lantl year after yenr. 

 Rotation and the use of legxuninous crops for green manuring are recommended. 



Flower-bud and boll shedding of cotton in the Ilorin Province, Nigeria, 

 T. Thornton {Proc. Intenuit. Cong. Trap. Agr., S (191^), pp. SS1-S35). — This is 

 an abstract of an account, with discussion, of observations made on both 

 exotic nnd native cotton as regards one of the most serious drawbacks to its 

 cultivation in that section. 



High relative hunndity, cloudy weather, and rain usually produced very 

 severe losses. During the wet period the buds and bolls only were dropped, 

 but not long after the establishment of the dry season an increased slunlding 

 of these was accompanied with a loss of leaves. Partial recovery later usually 

 resulted in the production of new leaves and blooms, and a little rain falling 

 in this period may result in a fair crop. 



Helminthosporium turcicum, I. Zh.woronkova (Mat. MikoL i Fitopatol. 

 Ross., 1 (1915), No. 1, pp. Jiii~50, figs. 1). — This is jin account of studies upon the 

 effects of various culture media and temj^eratures on the growth of this or- 

 ganism, which the author isolated from diseased maize leaves. 



The cultures were started in Van Tieghem moist cells and then transferred 

 to nutrient media. The best growth was obtained on grains of maize and 

 rice, and especially on bread. Gelatin apiioaretl to be completely liquefieil after 

 three weeks. In regard to the temperature, growth began one or two days 

 earlier and the mycelium developed more luxuriantly and densely at 25 to 

 30° C. than at 15 to 1G°. 



Crown gall of mangels (Field E.rpts. llarpcr-Adams Agr. Col. and Stafford- 

 shire, Ri't. 191.'i. p. St, pi. 1). — Several six>cimens of roots showing crown gall 

 due to Bacterium iumefaciens have been received from Warwickshire and 

 Shropshire. The disease is said to be increasing in importance, as numerous 

 kinds of plants are attacked, including beet, jx^tato, hop, tobacco, apple, and 

 most other fruit trees, roses, and chrysanthemums. 



Wart disease, G. T. M.\LTHorsE (Field Expts. Harper-Adams Agr. Cot. and 

 Staffordshire, Rpt. 1914. PP- 27-29, pi. 1). — A report is given of the 1914 potato 

 tests for resistance to Synchjitrium endobioticum. 11 varieties and 2 seedlings 

 not previously tested being listed as immune thereto. 



It is stated tliat since the first variety tests were commencetl in 1000. 300 

 varieties and seedlings have been tested. Of these, 90 were of continental or 

 South American origin and 31 have provetl to be immune, while of the 270 

 of British or North American origin only 63 have proved to be inunune. About 

 23 varieties are listed which are considered to be the most di'sirable and 

 readily obtainable. 



Tests with formalin showe<l no perceptible tlifference in degree of attack. 



