242 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ferent seasons; also that the smut may remain capable of development for 

 about five years. 



Effects on winter rye and wheat of treatment with corrosive sublimate, 

 L. HiLTNEE (Prakt. Bl. Pflanzenbau u. Schutz, n. ser., 11 (1913), No. 8, pp. 

 101-104). — Ck)ntinuing previous reports (E. S. R., 28. p. 846), the author gives 

 the results of numerous practical experiments reported by farmers with the 

 corrosive sublimate treatment. This is said to have been beneficial to both 

 wheat and rye against Fusarium, but not against loose smut of wheat. 



Corrosive sublimate as treatment for rye, K. Graf (Prakt. Bl. Pflanzenhau 

 u. Schut::; n. ser., 11 (1913), No. 8, pp. 97-101, figs. 4).— Very favorable results 

 are reported as following the use of corrosive sublimate against Fusarium on 

 seed grains of winter rye in 1912 as recommended by Hiltner. The effects of 

 Sublimoform on the spring planting were not very decided, possibly on account 

 of weather unfavorable to the development of the fungus. 



The effect of formalin and copper sulphate solution on the germination 

 of wheat, C. C. Beittlebank (Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 11 (1913), No. 8, 

 pp. 473-476, figs. 2). — The results are given of an experiment undertaken to 

 ascertain the effect of time on the germination of wheat after treatment with 

 formalin and copper sulphate solutions. Equal quantities of seed were soaked 

 for 5 minutes in a solution of formalin, 1 : 300. and for 1 minute in a 2 per 

 cent solution of copper sulphate. The seed w^as then removed from the solu- 

 tions, dried, placed in clean bags, and tested at weekly intervals for 54 weeks. 



Marked differences in vigor and growth of the plants were noted from the 

 first. The control lot was the quickest to germinate, and gave an average of 

 95 per cent germination for the entire period. Next in germination and vigor 

 was the seed treated with formalin solution, for which an average germination 

 of 91 per cent was found. The highest percentage of germination for copper 

 sulphate was 95 per cent at the end of the first week. Following this there was 

 a gradual reduction in viability until at the end of the period only 32 per cent 

 germinated. 



This experiment indicates that seed should be sown as quickly as possible 

 iifter treatment. 



Connection between the acidity of the cell sap and rust resistance in 

 wheat, O. Comes (Atti R. 1st. Incoragg. Napoli, &. ser., 64 (1912), pp. 4I8-44I; 

 al)s. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome'], Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 

 4 (1913), No. 7, pp. 1117-1119). — This work, dealing with results obtained pre- 

 viously by the author and others, is believed to justify the general conclusion 

 that the biochemical factor which constitutes the means of resistance of an 

 organ to disease may be estimated from the acidity of the cell sap; that this 

 acidity, rather than density and compactness of tissues, enables plants to resist 

 parasitic fungi; and that the normal production of sap more or less rich in 

 sugars or in acid is hereditary, but capable of modification by cultivation, 

 manuring, and elevation. It is claimed that the farmer should give attention 

 to biological means, such as hybridization and selection, in order to increase the 

 resistance of improved plants, in this way seeking to discover the varieties 

 resistant for a given district. In order to preserve the highest degree of acidity 

 in the cell sap and at the same time maintain fertility of soil the phosphatic 

 fertilizers, especially superphosphaces, should be used instead of nitrogenous 

 manures. 



Foot disease of wheat, Reuthee (Deut. Landw. Presse, 40 (1913), No. 65, 

 p. 780). — This brief discussion of the appearance, predisposing conditions, and 

 probable causes of foot or stalk disease of wheat, concludes with recommenda- 

 tions looking to protection therefrom, the principal of which are included in 



