96 DISEASES OF CROPS. 



The Fusisporium of Rye-grass {Fusisporium lolii) 

 has a similar life-history to Fusisporium hordei, already 

 described. The mycelium of the first-named fungus ia of 

 an orange colour, while that of the latter is a deep rose 

 colour. 



The Ergot {Claviceps purpurea) of rye, wheat, 

 barley, and various mature grasses will be described under 

 the heading of " The Parasites of Eye." The hay from 

 ergoted grasses is a dangerous food for farm animals. 

 " Not a few cases have occurred, especially in Ireland and 

 the States of America, ' where hay was found to contain 

 an eighth of its weight of ergot.' The fodder caused 

 abortion and ergotism in cows. As a general rule, ' ergot 

 does not cause abortion, except the foetus has reached a 

 considerable size in the uterus.' " Prof. Sheldon {The 

 Farm and the Dairy, p. 138) says : " Much more com- 

 monly than most men think, however, it (abortion) comes 

 from the eating of ergoted grasses, for which some cows 

 seem to have a morbid appetite." 



There is a variety of ergot called Claviceps purpurea 

 Wilsoni, which was discovered by Mr. A. S. Wilson on 

 Glyceria fluitans (sweet grass) growing in damp places. 

 Messrs. Plowright & Wilson {Gardeners' Chronicle, Peb. 

 9th, 1884) considered it to be a variety of the ordinary 

 ergot. Dr. M. 0. Cooke, on the other hand, looks upon it 

 as a separate species of Claviceps, and thereby gives it 

 a higher status than a mere variety. 



Prevention. — Parmers should take the precaution to cut 

 grass when in the bloom, rather than in the seeding state ; 

 it will then be impossible for ergot to appear. 



Cure. — Iron sulphate destroys C purpurea (see later 

 in this chapter). 



The Isaria of Grass {Isaria fuciformis. Pig. 38) 



