DISEASES OF PLANTS. 161 



of soil sterilization, the f.nthors have conducted a number of experiments to test the 

 efficiency of various methods of steam sterilization. The efficiency of 1 and 2 in. 

 iron pipes, 2-in. colander tin, 2-in. galvanized-iron pipe with different numbers of 

 perforations, and 2-in. tile was investigated. The experiments show that the 2-in. 

 pipe is superior to the 1-in. pipe where the number and size of the perforations are 

 the same, and for all practical purposes perforations 4 in. in diameter are better than 

 smaller ones. The best results were obtained with a section of Cartter's tubes which 

 contjiined 4 rows of perforations \ in. in diameter. In sterilizing soil there are njany 

 factors which must be taken into consideration, among them the pressure and 

 amount of steam supplied, the size of the apjmratus, and the an)ount of earth to be 

 heated. 



Notes on some plant diseases and spraying experiments, B. D. Halsted 

 and J. A. Kelsey {New Jersey Stas. Epi. 190:i, pp. 398-422, ph. 3, Jigs. 5). — Notes are 

 given on the club root of turnips in which the authors discuss the possibility of 

 infection through the eating of raw turnips and similar plants. Descriptions are 

 given of the mildew of Lima beans and suggestions for the control of this disease, 

 and notes on the asparagus rust, fungicides and spraying, fungi as related to weather, 

 and a list of species of jiarasitic fungi observed in a number of localities. 



The observations on the asparagus rust seem to indicate that this disease is widely 

 spread, reports having l)een obtained from many Avidely separated regions throughout 

 the United States. From the continued experiments at the station the variety Palmetto 

 seems to be most resistant of any under observation, and Argenteuil almost equally 

 so, while Mammoth, Columbian, Colossal, etc., have at least 75 per cent of their 

 plants affected. 



The authors note the occurrence of broom raj^e {Orobanche ramosa) as occurring on 

 a coleus plant grown in a pot in the greenhouse. In a previous report this parasite 

 was noted as occurring on tomato, and the present account probably adds a new host 

 plant to the already long list of species known to be subject to attacks of this parasite. 



The experiments described with fungicides and spraying include the use of kero- 

 sene emulsion as a fungicide in greenhouses, and tield trials with soda-Bordeaux 

 mixture. The kerosene emulsion described proved to have considerable value as a 

 fungicide under the conditions of the experiment, as shoAvn upon jilats of verbenas, 

 phlox, and other ornamental plants. The field trials with soda-Bordeaux mixture 

 gave negative results, the conditions following the second application being such that 

 further sprayings were discontinued. 



Report of the department of botany, H. L. Bolley {North Dakota Stu. Rpt. 1902, 

 pp. 34-05, pis. 4, .fi'J''^- 'J ).— A detailed report is given of the principal operations con- 

 ducted by the botanist and his assistant during the year, particular attention being 

 given to the flax wilt, which has already been the subject of a bulletin (E. S. R., 14, 

 p. 55), and a description of a continuous process of treating flaxseed with formalde- 

 hyde vapor, which has already been described (E. S. R., 14, p. 983). Notes ai-e also 

 given on water hemlock {Cicuta maculata) and water parsnip (Slum cicutafolium). 

 The poisonous properties of tliese weeds are pointed out and suggestions made for 

 their eradication. Brief outlines are given on the work on plant diseases, soil fungi, 

 and bacteria; plant breeding, forage, and grass studies; economic plant survey of the 

 State, seed-control studies, physiological experiments with trees, and bacteriological 

 analyses. 



Results of cooperative experiments in treating- for oat smut in 1902, W. 

 LocHHEAD {Ontario Agr. and Expt. Union Rpt. 1902, pp. 31-34)- — A brief account is 

 given of the results of treating oats with copi)er sulphate and with formalin for the 

 prevention of smut in the subsequent crop. Two methods of treatment were adopted. 

 In the first the seed was sprinkled with the solution, and in the second it was 

 immersed for 12 hours in the copper sulphate or for 20 minutes in the formalin solu- 

 tion. Comparing the average number of smutted heads from the different plats, 



713U— No. 2— U3 5 



