LAWNS 



1 



With all the recent rains, mushrooms will be popping up in lawns and near old stumps. Ther< 

 is no effective chemical control. To avoid worry about poisoning pets or children, collect 

 or rake the mushrooms by hand or mow over them. 



Warn homeowners about the chances of poisoning. Only a trained mycologist can tell poisonoi 

 types from those that can be eaten. Mushrooms usually grow from rotting wood or other de- 

 caying organic material in the soil. They are common in areas of buried tree stumps, dead 

 roots, logs, and boards. Expect them any time following heavy rains or watering to mid-fal! 



One means of lasting control is to dig up the buried wood. Otherwise, let the mushroom 

 mycelium in the soil go ahead and complete the decay. Then they will disappear. 



STORED CORN AND SMALL GRAINS 



As the weather warms up, storage rots and the molds that cause them will become active. Th< 

 symptoms are: (1) discoloration of the germ or embryo; (2) evidence of mold growth (bluish- 

 green, green, tan, white, black, or pinkish- red material) ; (3) "caking" together to form a 

 crust- -usually at the center and top of a bin; and (4) a musty odor. Bins should be checkei 

 frequently for "hot spots" or the formation of a moldy crust. 



USEFUL REFERENCES 



You can obtain copies by writing to the Department of Plant Pathology, 218 Mumford Hall, 

 University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, Urbana 61801. Ask for Reports on Plant Disease; 

 (RPD's) by number: 



Soil-Borne Mosaic of Winter Wheat (RPD 102, Revised) 



Powdery Mildew of Wheat and Barley (RPD 104, Revised) 



Leaf and Stem Diseases of Alfalfa (RPD 301) 



Root and Crown Troubles of Alfalfa (RPD 302) 



Virus Diseases of Alfalfa and Clovers in Illinois (RPD 307, Revised) 



Storage Rots of Corn (RPD 206) 



NEW SOIL DISINFESTATION CIRCULAR 



Soil is treated by heat or chemicals to destroy disease -causing organisms (including nema- 

 todes) , insects, and weed seeds in the soil. The process eliminates the need to change soi! 

 in greenhouses, cold frames, hot beds, and other plant beds. A complete, up-to-date dis- 

 cussion called "Soil Disinfestation Methods and Materials" is given in the newly revised 

 Circular 893. Copies may be obtained from your county Extension office or by writing to 

 the Office of Agricultural Publications, 123 Mumford Hall, University of Illinois at Urbana- 

 Champaign, Urbana 61801. 



A WORD TO THE WISE 



Keep a record of the insecticides you use. Include the trade name, percentage of active 

 ingredients, and the dilution- -as well as the rate of application and the dates of appli- 

 cation. If you are ever questioned, you have the records. 



Because of tight credit and bad weather, farmers are not buying farm chemicals. Dealers 

 who ordinarily would have sold out a good share of their stock and reordered by now have 

 not done so this year. 



