DISEASES OF PLANTS. 351 



that Microstroma platani, as described by Eddelbiittel and Engelke (E. S. R, 

 28, p. 652), and Glwosporium ticruiscquum are stages of G. veneta. 



Contributions on imperfect fungi, I, II, H. Klebahn (Mycol. CcntbL, 3 

 {1913), Xos. 2, pp. /,!)-66, figs. 13; 3, pp. 97-115, figs. 19).— The author concludes 

 from the comparative study of a fungus found on dahlias that it is not iden- 

 tical with Ycrticillium alboatrum. Of three fungi studied in connection with 

 Darlingtonia calif ornica, one is said to be new and is named Glceosporium dar- 

 lingtoniw, the second is not settled as to relationship, and the third is said to 

 belong to the morphological type Pestalozzia versicolor. * 



A new nematode fungus, P. Lindner (Deut. Essif/nndus., 17 {1913), Xo. JfO, 

 pp. 46o-46S, pi. 1). — A brief account with illustration is given of studies by 

 the author on a fungus invading the alimentary canal of Anguillula aceti, which 

 is finally killed by the parasite. The latter is said to be closely related to 

 Fusarium, but the author has designated it provisionally as Rachisia spiralis 

 n. g. and sp. The possibility of combating nematodes by means of some such 

 natural enemy is suggested. 



Some important diseases of field crops in North Carolina, H. R. Fulton 

 and J. R. Winston {Bui. N. C. Dcpt. Agr., 34 {1913), No. 4, pp. 24, figs. 12).— 

 Popular descriptions are given of the more important diseases of alfalfa, clover, 

 corn, cotton, cowpeas, cereals, tobacco, etc. 



Two new grass smuts, E. MacKinnon {Jour, and Proc. Roy. Soc. X. »S. 

 Wales, 46 {1912), pi. 2, pp. 201-204, pis. ^).— Descriptions are given of Soro- 

 sporium panici on Panicum fiariduiii and Ustilago panici-gracilis on P. gracile. 



Experiments in combating stinking smut of winter wheat, II. C. Mllleb 

 and O. MORGENTHALEB {FiiliUng's Landw. Ztg., 62 {1913), No. 14, pp. 481-487). — 

 Details are given and results tabulated of about 50 experiments with different 

 treatments for stinking smut. 



Deep planting (8 cm.) reduced somewhat the smut attack. The caustic 

 potash and the nitric acid treatment gave favorable results and are to be 

 further tested. It is stated that immersing the seed grain for 10 minutes in 

 water at 55° C. has been found fully protective without lowering the percentage 

 of germination. 



Erysiphe polygoni on leaves of beet, G. Nevodovskii {ViestniJc Tifiiss. Bot. 

 Sada, 1913, No. 26; aU. in Riv. Patol. Veg., 6 {1913), No. 6, p. 180).— The author 

 reports finding on beets at an experimental farm in the district of Tiflis a 

 fungus agreeing closely, as regards morphology, with E. polygoni. It was sus- 

 pected after further study to be a biologically specialized form of that fungus. 



Foot rot, a new disease of tlfe sweet potato, L. L. Haeter {Phytopathology, 

 3 {1913), No. 4, pp. 243-245, figs. 2; U. S. Dept. Ayr., Jour. Ayr. Research, 1 

 {1913), No. 3, pp. 251-274, pis. 6, fig. i).— Attention was called in 1912 to the 

 presence of a sweet potato disease in the Dismal Swamp region of Virginia, 

 where as many as 95 per cent of the plants were affected. 



The organism causing the disease attacks the stem, turning it black from a 

 little below the soil line to from 3 to 5 in. above it. The first visible sign of 

 the disease is a blackening of the lower part of the stem followed by a yellow- 

 ing and dying of the lower leaves. 



Successful inoculations were made with cultures of the fungus both in the 

 greenhouse and on the Potomac Flats near Washington, D. C. 



The disease was found to be due to a new species of Plenodomus, the name 

 P. destruens being giVen it. 



Experiments with Rhizopus nigricans on tomatoes, H. Wobmald {Jour. 

 Southeast, Agr. Col. Wye, 1912, No. 21, pp. 381-391, pi. 1, figs. 2).— In connection 

 with a study of the rot of tomatoes due to this fungus, the author carried on 



