26() EXrElUMEI^T STATION RECORD. 



cent solution of cojjper sulphate. All of theye treatments are said to be efficient for 

 the (li'struftion of wild nuiHtiinl, wild radish, and other troublesome weeds and but 

 slifihtly injurious to tlie cereals. When sprayed over the fields the extremities of 

 the leaves of the cereals are slif2;htly affected, but so far no injury has been observed 

 to younf>: leguminous i)lants such as clover, alfalfa, sainfoin, etc., which are seeded 

 witli the cereals. 



Destruction of wild mustard, J. Vandervaeken {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 5 

 {1903), No. :M, pp. 131, 732). — The author describes a method of combating wild 

 mustard which has been quite generally practiced in Belgium and which has thus 

 far given excellent results. It consists in the distribution of 200 kg. of dry powdered 

 sulphate of iron per hectare. This gives results equal to those where the herbicide 

 is dissolved and sprayed over the fields, and is said to be not only cheaper but not 

 to necessitate the use of as high-priced machinery for its application. The cost of 

 spraying varies from 20 to 30 francs per hectare, deiiending on the material used, 

 while the i)Owdered suli)hate of iron can be applied at a jirice not to exceed 12 francs 

 Iter hectare. The copperas should be fresh and finely powdered, the hygroscopic 

 suli)hate of iron not being as efficient. 



Destruction of wild mustard, D. Donon {.Tour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 6 {1903), No. 

 30, pp). 110, 111). — The result of experiments with a 2 J per cent solution of copper 

 sulphate and a 10 per cent solution of nitrate of soda is given, comparisons being 

 made with untreated jjlats and those which had been sprayed with a 5 per cent solu- 

 tion of copper sulphate. The reduction of the amount of copper sulj^hate and addi- 

 tion of the nitrate of soda was equally as efficient in the eradication of mustard and 

 was without injurious effect ujion the crop. Indeed, the addition of the nitrate of 

 soda is believed to have had a beneficial effect when applied to oats. The nitrate of 

 soda alone is not as efficient as cojiper sulphate, but when the two were combined 

 the results obtained were highly satisfactory. The application of this herbicide 

 twice during the season, at the rate of 400 liters per hectare, practically destroyed all 

 the wild mustard. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Twelfth annual report of the special committee for plant protection, 1902, 



P. SoRAUERand M. Hollrung {Arh. Deut. Landw. Gesell, 1903, No. 82, j)p. XXVIII 

 -\- 214). — This report gives the results of observations of a large number of vegetable 

 pathologists and others upon the plant diseases occurring in Germany during 1902. 

 After giving a review of the weather conditions for the year, the fungus and insect 

 enemies of the different plants are noted, their distribution and amount of injury 

 indicated, and where means have been adopted for combating them the results are 

 given. The diseases are grouped under the principal headings of plant and animal 

 enemies of cereals, l)eets, potatoes, leguminous plants, oil, vegetable and forage 

 plants, fruit-producing plants, and grapes. A supplement is added in which is given 

 a sunmiary of the results of various jareventive treatments, and the rejiort concludes 

 with a discussion on the predisposition of some plants to parasitic diseases. 



Some diseases of cultivated plants, F. Corboz {Bid. Soc. Vaud. Ayr. et Vit., 

 Lausanne, 1903, Nos. 162, 2)p. 323-329; 163, j^P- 351-355).— A.n account is given of 

 various diseases of plants, grouping them under their respective causes. The author 

 discusses those which are due to impoverishments in the jthysiological functions of 

 the plant, those Avhich are caused by meteorological conditions, temjjerature, elec- 

 tricity, etc., and those due to plant parasites. Among the plant parasites he describes 

 not only the diseases caused by parasitic fungi, but parasites belonging to the higher 

 orders of plants. 



Disease-resisting' varieties of plants, L. Lewton-Brain {West Indian Bid., 4 

 {1903), No. 1, pp. 48-57). — The author discusses the topic of disease-resistant varie- 



