190 



actual reduction in yield of 40 per cent, but in most cases the reduction 

 was less than 20 per cent. 



Since that time a foot-rot of the same general character has been 

 found in several parts of the state, and this disease is now known to 

 occur in the six counties shown on Map. 11. Where it has occurred it 

 has been local in character and confined to small spots in a few fields. 

 It is only in unusual years or under very unusual local weather-condi- 

 tions that it may be expected to become generally serious. 



Should it become generally prevalent or serious, resistant varieties 

 such as those developed and recommended by the Illinois Agricultural 

 Experiment Station may be planted. 



Black-Chaff 

 Caused by Pscudomonas transhtcens E. F. S. 



This bacterial disease appears as black sunken stripes running length- 

 wise of the glumes. In severe cases it may cause the grain to shrivel. 



A single report of the presence of this disease in Illinois was made 

 bv Dr. Erwin F. Smith, ^ who reported a slight infection in Knox countv. 

 Map 12, in 1917. ' ■ 



Miscellaneous Diseases 



Poivdery niildeiv, resulting from the attack of a superficial fungus 

 (Erysiphe graminis T)C.), has not been of great importance in Illinois. 

 It was seen and collected by H. W. Anderson at Granite City. Madison 

 county, May 16, 1919, and this is the only definite record of its presence in 

 Illinois at the present time. 



Dying of wheat stalks resulting from the attack of a mushroom 

 (Marasmius scorodonius Fr.) was reported in 1923. A specimen col- 

 lected at Worden, Madison county, June 19 shows the sporophores of 

 the mushroom growing directly out of the basal internodes of the wheat 

 culm. This is extremely rare, however, and is not the source of any loss. 



Oats 



The oat crop in Illinois has been and probably will continue for some 

 years to be one of great importance. It forms a definite part of the crop- 

 ping plan practiced on most farms in the state. Since 1920 the acreage 

 has varied between 3.860,000 acres in 1922, with a crop of 110,010,000 

 bushels, and 4,594,000 acres in 1921, with a crop of 121.741,000 bushels. 



The acreage seeded to oats in each county in 1922 is indicated on 

 Map 13. Every county in the state has at least some acreage. Hardin 

 county, with 500 acres, grows the least, and Iroquois, with 215,500 a,cres, 

 grows the most. By far the least acreage is found in the southern and 



■riant Disease Survey Bui. 2: 9S-99. 191S. 



