Bunt and Smut. 



363 



Description of Figures. 



,, 1. Eutypella frunastri ; conidial form of reproduction on an 

 apple tree stem. Nat. size. 



2. Conidia. x 6co. • . 



3. Second, or ascigerous, condition of fruit on plum stem. 

 Nat. size. 



4. Section through a group of ascigerous fruits imbedded in 

 the bark, x 50. 



5. Ascus containing 8 spores, x 400. 



6. Median section through portion of the stem of a young 

 apple tree, showing where the fungus had entered through the 

 unprotected ends of pruned shoots. The mycelium of the fungus 

 had discoloured the bark and wood, and finally burst through 

 the bark to the surface. Nat. size. 



Bunt and Smut 



Both of these are fungoid diseases of cereals, and annually 

 cause much damage. Bunt chiefly attacks wheat, and is 

 characterised by the grains being filled by a black mass of 

 fungus spores, which give a foetid odour, especially when 

 rubbed. Ears that are attacked are lighter than sound ears, 

 and, therefore, stand more erect. They also remain longer 

 green as harvest approaches. So long as the ears are un- 

 disturbed the black spore-masses remain unseen; it/ is only 

 when they are rubbed or bruised in the process of thrashing 

 that they allow the spores to escape. 



Smut attacks all cereals, and is characterised by the grains 

 being filled and destroyed by black dusty spores, which, unlike 

 bunt, are quite conspicuous on the undisturbed plant. It is 

 most common on barley and oats, where it may attack a large 

 proportion of the ears. There are several varieties of this 



