8 HATCH EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



In the report of the division of botany and vegetable 

 pathology will be found a discussion of the general condi- 

 tions as aftecting plant diseases during the past year ; refer- 

 ences to the somewhat unusual attack of the potato rot 

 fungus (Phf/topthora infestans) on the tomato ; and a dis- 

 cussion of the causes of sun scald and the browning of the 

 foliage of conifers and other evergreens . 



The report of the vegetable pathologist, Dr. George E. 

 Stone, includes also a suggestive discussion on winter-kill- 

 ing as afiecting trees and shrul)s, as a result of the excep- 

 tionally cold winters 1902-03 and 1903-04. 



The great importance of suitable aeration of the soil for 

 perfect germination of certain seeds is brought out by an- 

 other paper. The effects of sterilization of soils respectively 

 rich and low in organic matter on germination and the 

 growth of plants have been investigated. It has been found 

 that, if the soil is rich in organic matter, sterilization is 

 favorable both to germination and subsequent growth ; but 

 if the soil contains little organic matter, such treatment is 

 unfavorable. 



The influence of treating seeds in soil decoctions of vary- 

 ing strengths has been carefully studied, and it is shown 

 that such decoctions from sterilized soil when highly diluted 

 exercise a favorable eft'ect on germination. The report of 

 Dr. Stone includes also the presentation and discussion of 

 results of various methods of seed selection. The conclusion 

 is that, for seeds adapted to that method of handling, ihe 

 use of sieves of suitable mesh as a means of separating the 

 small and inferior seeds is strongly to be recommended. 

 The use of other methods of separation in the case of seeds 

 which cannot be successfully handled by sifting is urged, as 

 being of much importance. 



The work of the agricultural division during the past year 

 has followed the usual lines, and is elsewhere briefly sum- 

 marized. 



Among the different bulletins and reports which have 

 been issued by the station, the following are still in stock 

 and can be furnished on demand : — 



