538 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



between Peridermium stalactiforme on Pinus contorta and Castilleja linearis 

 is shown by successful cultures. 



An undescribed species of Peridermium from Colorado, G. G. Hedgcock 

 and W. H. Long {Pliytopatliology, 3 (1913), No. 4, pp. 251, 252).— P. hetJieli 

 n. sp. occurring on Pinus contorta is described. 



Alfalfa leaf spot disease, T. G. B. Osborn (Jour. Dept. Agr. So. Aust., 17 

 {1913), No. 3, pp. 294-296, figs. 4). — This disease of Medi^ago sativa, caused by 

 Pseudopeziza medicaginis, is said to have been noted on a farm of the depart- 

 ment at Turretfield In December, 1912. 



Frequent cutting and early removal of the hay is recommended so as not to 

 leave many dead leaves. In case of severe infection, burning of the cut and 

 dried hay (adding a layer of straw if necessary) is recommended. It is thought 

 that this disease may be spread in soil used to convey nodule bacteria or else 

 in the seed. 



It is said not to be definitely known whether P. trifolii (which produces a 

 very similar leaf spot disease of clover) is capable of infecting alfalfa. 



A new fungus disease of clover, A. Bondartsev (Zhur. Boliezni Rast., 7 

 (1913), No. 1-2; abs. in Riv. Patol. Veg., 6 (1913), No. 6, p. 178).— The author 

 describes a fungus said to be parasitic in clover blossoms in parts of Russia. 

 The species has been named Botrytis anthophila n. sp. 



Report of the botany division, H. W. Barre (South Carolina Sta. Rpt. 1913, 

 pp. 14-20). — In the cotton anthracnose investigations, it was found that the 

 planting of seed from bolls obtained from stallis showing any disease whatever 

 is an unsafe practice. Plants grown from seed taken from healthy stalks have 

 been free from disease. Laboratory and field tests with diseased seed have 

 shown that the centrifuge and germination tests are safe indicators of the 

 presence of disease, but no basis has been formed for determining the amount 

 of disease to be expected from a given sample of seed. The work in seed treat- 

 ment for the control of the disease has been continued, and although treated 

 with concentrated sulphuric acid until the lint was completely destroyed, a con- 

 siderable amount of disease was developed from seed taken from diseased 

 stalks but on bolls showing no definite signs of the disease. In the progress of 

 this investigation different strains of the anthracnose fungus (Glomerella gos- 

 sypii) have been secured, and it is thought that probably the variation in the 

 amount of disease in the same varieties of cotton from year to year may be 

 due to the virulence of the fungus. A survey of the State shows that the an- 

 thracnose is present in every county in the State. 



The investigations begun on cotton shedding have been continued, and sev- 

 eral new phases of the problem have been studied under controlled conditions. 

 It has been found that the fertility of the soil is a decided factor in the 

 amount of water required to produce a pound of seed cotton, the amount vary- 

 ing from 80 to 125 gal. of water for 1 lb. of seed cotton, and depending on soil 

 fertility and other soil conditions. The second year's experiments in irriga- 

 tion confirmed the conclusion of the previous year that soil moisture is an im- 

 portant factor in cotton shedding. Considerable data have been collected on 

 the relation between leaf area, transpiration, shedding, and yield. 



The cotton and cowpea wilt work, carried on in cooperation with the Bureau 

 of Plant Industry of this Department, is briefly described, and notes are given 

 on the work of the pathological inspection and plant disease survey. 



Texas root rot of cotton, F. D. Heald (Texas Dept. Agr. Bui. 22 (1911), 

 pp. 303-308). — Besides a brief discussion of sore shin (Rliizoctonia spp.) and 

 cotton wilt (Fusarium vasinfectuni) , more particular attention is given to 

 Texas root rot of cotton (Ozonium omnivormn). This is said to attack also 

 many wild and cultivated plants, cereals furnishing an exception. As a means 



