304 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [APRIL 
ing he. holds that neither exists in the strict sense, namely that ids may escape 
m the ‘germ-cells to produce modification in the surrounding maternal tissues, 
or to be transferred thence into subsequent germ-cells.—GEORGE H. SHULL. 
Heterostyly in Primula——The inheritance of heterostylism in Primula has 
been investigated by BATESON and GreGory,' who find that there is general 
agreement with Mendelian expectation, the short style being dominant over 
the long style. A second character, a yellow flush in the center of the flower, 
which was found associated with an “‘equal-styled” condition, also proved to. 
be Mendelian and capable of being transferred by crossing to the short-styled 
form. The investigation showed that whenever the yellow flush occurs in a 
combination in which the long style would be expected, the styles do not develop 
beyond the level of the anthers, thus forming the “equal-styled” type. Several 
aberrant results were observed, the most noteworthy being a case in which a 
single plant indicated a different composition of its germ-cells, according as 
it was used as the pollen-parent or pistil-parent.—GrorGE H. SHULL. 
Asparagus rust —Smitu‘+ has published a final account of his investigation 
of the asparagus rust in California. One of the most important results of his 
work is the demonstration of the fact that the spores of this rust depend upon 
dew for the moisture required for germination. The more detailed account 
of the water relation of this rust was published in this journal.'s This discovery 
suggested certain practical methods of controlling the rust, such as planting 
the rows with the wind and preventing weeds and other plants or trees from 
forming a windbreak close about the asparagus field. In other words, the field 
should be well ventilated. The bulletin will long continue to be the standard 
work of reference for information upon the subject—E. Mrap WILcox. 
Potato scab.—HENDERSON* has recently published the results of his studies 
of the methods of control of the potato scab. He found that rolling the potato 
tubers in sulfur did not prevent the scab, and this is in accord with results secured 
by other investigators. Formalin and corrosive sublimate gave equally good 
results with the factor of safety in use in favor of the formalin. If treated pota- 
toes were planted in soil in which “scabby’” potatoes had grown the previous 
season, the scab appeared in spite of the treatment. This emphasizes the neces- 
sity of preventing new ground from becoming infected with the disease by plant- 
ing none but healthy tubers.—E. Mrap WItcox. 
"3 Bateson, E., and Grecory, R. P., On the inheritance of heterostylism in 
Primula. Proc. Roy. Soc. London B. 76:581-586. 1905. 
14 SMITH, R. E.—Asparagus and asparagus rust in California. Bull. Calif. 
Exp. Stat. 165:1-99. figs. 1-46. 1905. 
1s Smith, R. E., Bot. GazetrEe 38:19-43. figs. I-21. 1904. 
*6 HENDERSON, L. F., Potato scab. Bull. Idaho Exp. Stat. 52: 1-8. 1906. 
