484 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Chrysanthemum leucanthemum and the American ■white ■weed, M. L. 

 Fernald {Rhodora, 5 {WOd), pp. J78-181, Jiyn. xl; «/w. //(, But. Cevlhl., US {190.1), No. 

 37, pp. 259, 260). — According to the author the American white weed, or ox-eye daisy, 

 which is quite common throughout the eastern i)art of the United States, Ls not the 

 typical Cliriisanthemum Icuvuntheiiium, but is a fonn which has long been recognized 

 and for which the name C leucanthemum subpbinatifidum is given. 



Poisonous ■weeds, C. E. Bessey {Nehrmkn Sta. Rpt. 1902, pp. 14-62, figsi. 14). — A 

 special investigation has been inaugurated in the study of the poisonous weeds in 

 Nebraska, the investigation being made possible by an appropriation of the State 

 legislature for the study of poisonous weeds and the causes of disease in horses and 

 cattle. Notes are given on the distribution of the poisonous weeds in general and 

 their classification. The different poisonous or suspected plants are grouped accord- 

 ing to the physical characteristics of the localities in which they are usually found, 

 as well as by geographic distribution, following which an annotated list is given of 

 the stock poisoning and suspected plants which have been commonly met with dur- 

 ing the progress of the investigation. The list includes only those plants which are 

 known to be poisonous to stock or are strongly suspected of being so.- 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



A disease of clover and alfalfa seed, Y. PECiLioN {Staz. Sper. Agr. Itah, 36 

 {1903), No. 3, pp. 198-204)- — A preliminary note is given of a diseased condition of 

 alfalfa and clover seed. The seed appeared to be of an unusual brownish color, and 

 ■when examined was found deficient either in germination or the subsequent growth 

 of the seedlings. The cause is apparently due to some fungus, although the parasite 

 was not determined. The affected seed can be readily distinguished and the author 

 condemns the use of sucli seed. 



Studies of a root rot of carrots -with special reference to its distribution, 

 J. Eriksson {Centbl. Bait. v. Far., 2. Abt., 10 {1903), Nos. 22-23, p>p. 721-738; 24-26, 

 j)p. 766-775, pi. 1, figs. 4)- — In the autumn of 1897, on the experimental grounds of 

 the Royal Swedish Agricultural Academy, an apparently new root rot of carrots was 

 noticed. At the time of harvest many of the roots were more or less covered with 

 a mycelium of a reddish violet color. This occurred in felt-like mats, usually present 

 in zonal areas on the roots, the disease sometimes being confined to the upper por- 

 tions, while at other times only the middle or lower parts of the roots were affected. 



A study of the organisms showed that it was lihizoctonia riolacea and every variety 

 of carrot examined seemed lial^le to attack. On the different varieties studied spe- 

 cialized forms of the fungus were discovered and these were found capable of affect- 

 ing other plants besides carrots. Thus far it has been found possible to inoculate 

 fodder and sugar beets, alfalfa, potatoes, and many weeds, but not red clover nor 

 parsnips. The different plants are affected with varying severity, but beets seem 

 especially subject to injury. The second generation of the fungus grown on beets 

 is much more destructive to l)eets than the first generation, but the organism seems 

 less able to withstand unfavorable climatic conditions. 



Experiments carried on during 1899 and 1900 showed that slaked lime, even when 

 used in considera1)le quantity, was of little use in combating this fungus. A combi- 

 nation of carbolized lime and "petroleum water" in small quantities proved in some 

 experiments to be valuable in destroying the fungus. 



Culture experiments -with some rusts of Leguminosae, E. Jordi ( Centbl. Bakt. 

 II. Far., 2. Abt., 10 {1903), No. 24-25, pjp. 777-779). — A preliminary note is given on 

 culture experiments with Uromycesfabse, U. ervi, U. antJujllidis, U. Itedysari obscuri, and 

 U. astragali The experiments showed that these different fungi were specialized 

 upon certain species of plants and could not be inoculated upon others that were 

 more or less distantlv related to them. 



