268 EXPERIMENT STATION ItECORD. 



/). 145). — The results of the author's investigations on the prevention of oat smut by 

 treatment of the seed witli hot water are given. He has followed this method for a 

 number of years, and is convinced that with ordinary care it is possiljle by treating 

 the seed with water heated to 54° C. and sowing on clean soil to produce a cnjp which 

 may l)e used for seed the subsequent year without treating. Tliis may be continued 

 for a tliird year if attention l^e paid to the thrashing machines and other implements 

 so that the fungus sjjores may not 1)e carried to the new crop. 



Investigations in cereal rusts, E. Makchal {UIikj. Agr. Gernhloux, l:i {190->), 

 N(i. 11, pp. 473-500). — This is a resume of an article by the same author, previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 14, p. 1083). 



Concerning' the seed treatment of cereals with, copper sulphate, F. Porchet 

 {Citron. Agr. Canton Vaud, 16 [190S), No. 12, pp. 352-357, jig. i).— On account of the 

 rather common use of copper sulphate in solution for the prevention of cereal smuts, 

 the author has made a study of the protective effect of the glumes of certain cereals, 

 such as oats and barley. He conducted his experiments with equal numbers of seeds 

 with and without the protective glumes, comparing the effect of treatment with 

 wheat which was without the glumes. The seeds were soaked for 24 hours in a 0.5 

 per cent solution, after which they were placed to germinate. 



The effect of the treatment where the glumes were removed was apparent in the 

 greatly reduced germinations of oats, the number falling from 91 to 53 in 28 days. 

 Not only was the number greatly reduced, but the copper sulphate seemed to effect 

 a retarding influence, a comparatively small number of seeds having germinated 

 within the first week of the experiment. The germinations of oats from which the 

 glumes had been removed, and wheat which was without any protective covering, 

 showed l)ut little difference when soaked in the solutions for the same length of time. 



The browning- of maize in France, V. Ducomet {Jour. Agr. Prut., n. ser., 5 

 {1903), No. 16, pp. 507-511, figs. 4)- — A description is given of a disease of maize 

 which has proved very destructive in the southwest of France, where this crop is 

 extensively grown for green forage. The disease is characterized by the drying up 

 of the leaves, and at first is quite localized, but spreads after a time, and in about 15 

 days. the entire field may become completely browned and dried up. On account of 

 the peculiar browning or burnt condition of the leaves the author has suggested the 

 name "brulure" for the disease. 



The disease makes its appearance \\\ion the leaves when the plants are from 20 to 

 30 in. in height as small discolored sjiots which rapidly increase until they attain a 

 diameter of 2 cm. and a length of 6 or 7 cm. The spots are for a while limited by the 

 veins in the leaves, the long diameter of the spot being parallel with the veins. 

 Frequently the tips of the leaves are involved, and finally by the confluence of a 

 number of spots the entire leaf is destroyed. About 15 days after the appearance of 

 the first symptoms of the disease the spots occur in great abundance on both sides of 

 the leaves, and from their centers appear numerous dirty, gray, cushion-like masses 

 which are the reproductive organs of the fungus. 



The life history of the fungus, which has been determined as Ilelmintliosporiuin 

 turcicum, is described at considerable length. In order to prevent the spread of this 

 disease the author recommends the destruction of affected plants as soon as observed, 

 and instead of sowing the grain closely to plant it at sufficient intervals to secure a 

 better aeration of the plants. 



A new disease of white sweet clover, R. Laubert {Arb. K. Gesundheitsamte, 

 Biol. Abt., 3 {1903), No. 4, pp. 44I-443 , fig.s. 5). — A description is given of Ascochyta 

 caulicola, n. sp., a fungus which causes considerable injury to the leaves and stems 

 of Melilotus alba. 



A rosette disease of potatoes, A. D. Selby ( Ohio Sta. Bid. 139, pp. 53-66, figs. 

 5). — Tlie author describes a disease of potatoes wliich is attributed to the sterile fun- 

 gus Rhizoctonia. This fungus causes lesions on the stems below or near the surface 



