472 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Fungus diseases of cotton, L. Lewton-Brain ( West Indian Bui., 6 (1905), No. 2, 

 pp. 117-123). — Notes are given on the rust, leaf spot, mildew, and anthracnose of 

 cotton, after which a disease known locally as black holl is described. 



This disease seems to he characterized by the decay of the internal parts of the 

 boll, usually starting at the base. The seeds swell inside and the lint is destroyed. 

 The first outward sign of disease is a curious deformation of the boll, which is fol- 

 lowed by the other symptoms already mentioned. As the disease progresses the 

 lint becomes slimy, changing color from yellow to dark brown or black, and finally 

 the enlarged, partially germinated seeds practically till the interior of the boll. 



The only foreign organism present in diseased bolls is a short rod-shaped bacillus, 

 and this appears constantly present in thediseased tissues. Until inoculation experi- 

 ments have been carried on it can not, however, be definitely claimed that this 

 bacillus is the cause of the disease. 



A new disease in potatoes (.lour. Bd. Agr. [London], 12 (1905), No. 1, pp. 37, 

 38).— It is stated that Sphseri lla tabifica, a parasitic fungus especially known as attack- 

 ing beets and mangels, has been recently observed occurring on potatoes. As in the 

 case of beets and turnips, the fungus first makes its appearance on the leaves, after- 

 wards passing into the roots, causing their destruction. On account of the fact that 

 different crops are subject to the attacks of this fungus, care should be taken to pro- 

 vide rotations with nonsusceptible plants. It is believed that the application of gas 

 lime to the soil would to a considerable extent destroy the parasite. 



A disease of potatoes (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London'], 12 (1905), No. 5, pp. 294-296, 

 fig. 1). — A diseased condition of potatoes of the variety Evergood is reported, in 

 which the surface of the tubers was studded with small brownish warts, and although 

 a number of fungi were present no .species seemed to be sufficiently constant to be 

 considered the cause of the trouble. -A careful study of the variety showed that the 

 primary cause of the disease was the excessive development of lenticels in this par- 

 ticular variety. The experiments from which this conclusion is drawn are to be 

 described later. 



Blackleg- in potatoes (Jour. Bd. Agr. [London], 12 11905), No. 5, pp. 296-298).— 

 A brief account is given of a disease of potatoes due to Bacillus phytophthorus, and 

 precautionary measures to be taken for the prevention of the disease are quoted from 

 a recent publication (E. S. R., 15, p. 374). 



It has been found that potatoes, beans, carrots, turnips, cucumbers, sugar beets, 

 mangels, etc., are susceptible to the disease, and rotations should be provided in 

 which these plants do not occur for a number of years. Whole tubers should be 

 planted instead of being cut into sections, as is usually the case. Care should be 

 taken to obtain seed from districts where the disease is not known to exist, and lime 

 or strong nitrogenous manures should not be used. 



Review of the principal diseases of sugar cane, L. Lewton-Brain ( West Indian 

 BnL. 6 ( 1905), Xo. 1, pp. 22-37). — The author presents a brief summary of the prin- 

 cipal facts regarding the rind disease caused by Trichosplwria sacchari, the pineapple 

 disease due to Thielaviopsis ethaceticus, and the root disease attributed to Marasmius 

 sacchari. Incidentally the author mentions the fact that bananas are subject to 

 attacks of M. semiustus, a species related to that causing the root disease of sugar 

 cane. 



Club root in turnips (Jour. Bd. Agr. [Loudon], 12 (1905), Xo. 3, pp. 161, 162).— 

 Based upon experiments carried on for a number of years it is suggested that 2£ tons 

 of common lime slaked to a fine powder and applied to an acre of infested soil will 

 usually result in securing a crop reasonably free from this disease. It is noted from 

 the results obtained that the effect of the lime may be more apparent on the second 

 than on the first crop which follows its application. 



The cucumber leaf blotch, A. D. Hall (Jour. Bd. Agr. [Loudon], 12 (1905), 

 Xo. 1, pp. 19-21).— A brief description is given of the cucumber leaf spot, caused by 



