DISEASES OF PLANTS. 57 



cially favorable to fungi, being situated so that the direct sunlight 

 never reached them. The spots varied in length from i to 1 in. and 

 were covered by a pinkish-gray mold dotted in the center with yellow 

 spore masses of the fusarium. The fungus wa.s evidently parasitic on 

 the leaves, but careful examination revealed the fact that in every case 

 the spots originated in a rust sorus. It appeared that the fungus was 

 unable to attack the uninjured leaf, but when the epidermis was broken 

 by rust, it was able to enter and bring about the decay. Inoculation 

 experiments, it is thought, will show that this fungus is identical with 

 that causing carnation stem rot. 



A report is given of the occurrence on barley seedlings of the peri- 

 thecia of Chcetomium contortum. This fungus was previously noted 

 as occurring on lily bulbs in a greenhouse on Long Island, where it 

 was discovered by the author in 1895. No report had been made of 

 the occurrence of this fungus from that time until the present, when 

 it was found on barley. The indications are that it is not parasitic, 

 but that the spores had become attached to the barley seeds before 

 they were planted. 



Corn smut, J. C. Arthur and W. Stuart {Indiana Sta. Bpt. 1S99, 

 pp. 8If,-135^ j)l^' -^5 c^^vrt 1). — A detailed report is given on corn smut, 

 the investigations of the authors and others being drawn upon. Corn- 

 smut experiments have been conducted at the station for about 10 

 years, in which the life history of the fungus has been studied, together 

 with possibilities of discovering methods for prevention. An histor- 

 ical resume is given of the experiments with corn smut, the proper 

 scientific name of which the author claims is Ustilago zem. The life 

 history of the fungus, as shown by the development of the spores, etc. , 

 is described at considerable length. The influence of weather and 

 maturity on infection, the distribution of the smut pustules over the 

 plant, and prevention by spraying are discussed at some length. 

 Details of some of these investigations have been previously reported 

 (E. S. R., 8, p. 317). 



Experiments in which corn plants were spraj^ed with Bordeaux mix- 

 ture and other fungicides showed that the disease can be controlled, 

 but the economic consideration places such treatment out of the possi- 

 bility of utilization. It is recommended that all smut masses be 

 destroyed by burning or putting in boiling water. The effect of smut 

 on animals, as shown by a careful review of literature, is given, 

 together with notes on the digestibility of the smut fungus. A sum- 

 mary is given by the authors of their investigations, and an extensive 

 bibliography on the subject completes the report. 



Club root, W. Hawk {Rpt. Agr. ExpU. Cornwall County Council 

 1898., 2^P- ^^7-lt2., ph. 7). — Experiments in the treatment of club root 

 of turnips are reported. Lime was applied in different quantities at 

 various depths and at different seasons. A plat of land receiving 6 



