546 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the progress of planting. Some varieties seem to be less snbject to the wart 

 disease than others, and, so far as possible, these should be employed. 



The root rots of beets, W. Busse (B1. Zuckerriibenbau, 15 (1908), Xo. 19, 

 j)p. 297-300, pi. 1). — T'nder the title of root rots are described the root i-ots of 

 young garden and sugar beets caused by Pythium dcbdnjaiium. Phoma beta', and 

 Aphanomyccs lavis. The methods of attack, peculiarities and difterences of the 

 diseases, and means of control are discussed. 



The heart rot of sugar beets, A. Genty (Sttcr. Indig. et Colon., 71 (1908), 

 No. 25, pp. 685-689). — ^A description is given of the heart rot of sugar beets due 

 to Phoma tabifica and of the conditions uncjer which the disease is spread. 

 Attention is called to the fact that certain races of beets seem more subject to 

 the disease than others. The distance in planting was also found to exert an 

 important bearing. 



As general precautions to be taken for the control of this disease, the author 

 I'ecommends deep plowing early in the winter, at which time stable manure may 

 be plowed In, and the use of large quantities of wood ashes at the rate of 2 to 

 2* cubic meters per hectare (about 23 to 29 bu. per acre). 



A mold of latouag' wheat, L. Mangin and N. Patotjillard (Bui. Trimest. 

 Soc. Mycol. France, 2-'^ (1908), Xo. 3, pp. 156-16^, figs. .}) .—According to the 

 authors, the natives of Algeria preserve their wheat in silos, cavities in the 

 earth, and similar places, in which, on account of the heat and humidity, the 

 grain undergoes a series of fermentations which give special properties to it 

 that are highly relished by the natives. Among the fermented wheats, a num- 

 ber of which are described, is one called latouag. In this case the wheat under- 

 goes special changes by the action of molds, which give to it a decreased nutri- 

 tive value and communicate to it certain toxic properties. 



A study was made of this preparation, and the changed condition was found 

 to be largely due to a fungus, which appears to be thus far undescribed. The 

 authors give a technical description of it under the name ilonilia arnoldi n. sp. 



Bean anthracnose, H. H. Whetzel (Xcw York Cornell 8ta. Bui. 255, jtp. 

 .'f 31-^7, figs. 6). — As a result of 3 years' observations and experiments, the 

 author has found it necessary to modify the generally accepted conclusions re- 

 garding the control of this disease, as given in Bulletin 239 of the station (E. 

 S. R., 18, p. 51). The present bulletin is largely a criticism of the methods of 

 treatment suggested in the previous publication. 



It is claimed that experiments have shown that the benefits to be derived 

 from seed treatment are very insignificant. The selection of clean seed by hand 

 picking, while in some instances resulting in a diminished amount of dis- 

 ease, in general has proved of no value in ei'adicating or even partially con- 

 trolling the spot. The removal of diseased seedlings, which is impracticable 

 except in short garden rows, it is believed may be disregarded as a factor in 

 controlling the disease. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture, if exceedingly thor- 

 oughly done, is effective in controlling the disease, but under field conditions 

 with the present machinery it is not believed sufficiently advantageous to war- 

 rant the expense and trouble. The cultivation or working of beans when the 

 plants are wet should be avoided as much as possible. On this point the author 

 says there can be no dispute. The spores are held together in mass by a sort 

 of mucilage which is dissolved during the time the plants are wet, and at this 

 time any disturbance of the plants scatters the spores to other plants that may 

 not be affected. 



In considering methods of control of the disease, the author places most re- 

 liance on clean seed. This can be obtained by securing seed from noniufested 

 regions or it may be by the careful selection of the beans in the field, seeing 

 that no spots are to be found on any of the pods. If on careful inspection the 

 pods appear sound, the seed within will not be diseased. 



