82 



DISEASES OF CROPS. 



grain (embryo, cotyledon, and husk), — but particularly the 

 embryo or germ, — and thereby destroys the germinating 

 power of the grain (either for seed or for malting pur- 

 poses). It has been stated that the conidia of this fungus, 

 when introduced into beer-wort (previously sterilized), 

 give rise to a slow alcoholic fermentation, as well as 

 producing a badly flavoured beer.i 



Fig. 34. — Tee FnsispoEiuM of Baelet (Fusisporium hordei). 



A. An ear of barley infested with the fon^a. 



B. Barleycorn (infested). 



C. The fungus, x 320 diameters. 



The name Fuaisporium hordei was given to this fungus 

 by Mr. W. G. Smith, F.L.S., who, with other fungologists, 

 investigated its life-history. 



1 The author has shown that most of the so-called " false beer fer- 

 ments " are destroyed by the action of a solution of salicylic acid (see 

 Proceedings Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol. xiii. p. 627 ; The Brewers' 

 Guardian, vol. xvi. p. 21 ; and Joum. Ghem. Soc, 1886, p. 386). 



