DISEASES OF PLANTS. 859 



On the preventive treatment of smuts of cereals, G. Ariete {St<tz. Sper. Agr. 

 Ilal., 33 {IfiOO), No. 5, pp. 403-4 J 9). — The literature of seed trcatinent for the preven- 

 tion of smuts of cereals is briefly reviewed and an account given of experiments of the 

 author in v.hicli copper sulpliate, potassium sulphate, sodium sulphate, potassium 

 permanganate, and formalin were used. The results of the different trials are given, 

 from which it appears that all the fungicides exercised a beneficial effect in reducing 

 the amount of smut, the best results being obtained when the seed was treated for 12 

 hours with a 5 per cent solution of copper sulphate, or 30 minutes with a 10 per cent 

 solution, the results being practically identical. An extended bibliography of the 

 subject concludes the paper. 



Treatment of seed oats for smut, E. Y. Wilcox {Montana Sta. Bid. 22, pp. 

 24, 25). — The cause and ajipearance of smut are described, and an experiment in 

 which formalin was used as a preventive of oat smut is outlined. The oats were 

 soaked for 2 hours in a solution of formalin, 1 lb. to 50 gal. of water. Comi)arisons 

 were made with ordinary copper-sulphate treatment, the seed being sown upon 

 contiguous areas. In its development from the grain treated with copper sulphate, 

 smutty heads were numerous and conspicuous; while among the oats grown from 

 the seed treate<l ^vith formalin, 1)ut 2 or 3 smutty heads were found in a plat of about 

 2 acres. 



Combating' the corn smut (TJstilago maydis), S. David {Sehl: Khoz. i Lyesov., 

 197 {1000), June, pp. 553-566). — By a series of experiments the author found that 

 weak solutions of formaldehyde do not affect the power of germination of corn, but 

 the spores of the corn smut are killed by such solutions. As the most suitable 

 strength of the solution of formaldehyde, the author recommends one of 0.1 percent, 

 to whose action the seeds should be subjected for 4 to 5 hours. — p. fireman. 



Potato scab, E. Y. "Wn.cox {Montana Sfu. Bvl. 22, pp. 22, 23). — A brief descrip- 

 tion- is given of potato sca1:>, together with results of a number of experiments for its 

 prevention. The comparative value of gypsum, sulphur, corrosive sublimate, and 

 formalin as means for the prevention of potato scab was tested. The results showed 

 that formalin was not only the most efficient, but, being nonpoisonous, is easily 

 handled. 



Red mold of hops, W. H. Hammond {Jour. Southeast. Agr. Col. Wye, 1900, No. 9, 

 pp. 19, 20) . — The cause of this disease, which seriously affects the quality and yield 

 of hops, is said to be the mildew of the leaves, Sphxrotheca castagnei. Applications 

 of sulphur or solution of potassium sulphid are recommended. 



Orobanche cumana, V. Soukochev {Selsk. Khoz. i Lyesov., 196 {1900), Jan., pp. 

 15-26). — This parasite causes great injury to the sunflower in southern Russia. The 

 author describes the germination and development of the plant parasite and the 

 measures of combating it. The chief remedy is the pulling out of the parasite as 

 soon as it shows itself and begins to blossom. This parasite suffers from the attacks 

 of the fungus rwri/stis orohanrhes and of the fly Phytomyza orohanchia. — p. fireman. 



Boot knot of the peach, W. A. Boucher {Neiv Zealand Dept. Agr. Rpt. 1900, p. 

 334). — An account is given of the occurrence of a disease of peach trees that is doubt- 

 less the same as crown gall. It is thought to have been introduced from California 

 ■with a lot of peach seeds. 



Bacteriosis of walnut, W. A. BorcHER {New Zealand Dept. Agr. Rpt. 1900, pp. 

 334, 335). — A description is given of a bacterial disease of cultivated walnut trees. 

 It is apparently the same as that occurring in California, which has i)reviously been 

 noted (E. S. R., 11, p. 261). 



A new injury to trees, Ai-ffenrerg {Oesterr. Ford u. Jagdir. Ztg., 18 {1900), No. 

 60, p. oPS).— Injury to vegetation about works erected for the manufacture of calcium 

 carbid used in acetylene making is noted. 



New disease on Carag-ana arborescens, A. Yacuevski {Schh. Khoz. i Lyesov., 

 196 {1900), Mar., j)p. 663-666). — The fungus discovered on the Caragana is taken by 



