35o 



Notes on Foreign Crop Prospects. [sept., 



The trouble is due to a small fungus — Helminthosporium 

 gramineum, Roth. 



On the dying patches of the leaves it can readily be observed 

 with the microscope, the short pale hypha projecting above the 

 surface. Later the hyphae become dark brown. These bear 

 septate spores. There is abundant evidence that the disease 

 is transmitted by seed. 



The first acquaintance of the writer with it was made about 

 eight years ago in experimental cultures of foreign samples 

 of barley. Last year a case was brought to my notice by the 

 Board of Agriculture in which one half of a large field was 

 seriously damaged by it, the other half being quite free, 

 although the crops were growing side by side. Both barleys 

 had received similar cultivation and other treatment. 



The treatment necessary to keep the pest in check is the 

 same as that carried out for smut, namely, pickling with copper 

 sulphate, or better still, the hot-water method described in 

 Leaflet No. 92. Although it is not customary to pickle or 

 steep seed barley there is no doubt it pays to do so to check 

 not only " stripe," but both kinds of barley smut which have 

 become so prevalent in many districts during the last few years. 



It is essential to bear in mind that barley is much more 

 delicate than wheat, and is easily damaged by overdoses of 

 copper sulphate. The hot water method is best, but the tem- 

 perature of the water used for steeping should not be more 

 than 126 deg. F. 



Germany. — According to the official report, the condition of 

 the crops in Germany in mid-August is indicated by the follow- 

 ing figures (2 good ; 3 = average) : — 



Notes on Winter wheat, 2*5 ; spring wheat, 2'6 ; 

 Foreign Crop \ , ' 



Prospects. winter rye, 27 ; spring rye, 2*6 ; barley, 27 ; 



oats, 2 9 ; and potatoes, 2*3. The winter 



cereals have somewhat fallen off, the average figures for July 



being 2*4 for winter wheat and 2*5 for winter rye. Harvesting 



operations have been rendered difficult by abundant rain ; rye 



has been laid, and even found growing in the ear ; and wheat, 



in places, attacked by rust. This is also the case with spring 



cereals, which have been adversely affected by untimely storms 



