No. 33.] 383 
others. The apparent strength of the yield in the various areas was 
in about the relation indicated by the height of the culms, showing 
that the lightest oats smutted the worst. The smut appeared to also 
bear a direct ratio to the dryness of the soil. 
It should be mentioned in this connection that the thirty varieties 
of oats growing in the experimental plats were very unevenly 
affected by smut, some having almost none, the reason for which 
was not apparent. vi 548 
Professor Brewer says in the Tenth Census Report of the United 
States that “neither rust nor smut affects the crop extensively, 
although either of these diseases occur occasionally,” a statement 
that voices the general belief, but which the above shows to be far 
from correct. The reason of this discrepancy between casual obser- 
vation and fact is easily explained by the inconspicuousness of the 
affected culms. at 
\ DISEASE OF CLEMATIS. 
The importation of many choice species and hybrids of this 
charming flower has created a growing demand for it. Its popu- 
larity is being somewhat checked, however, by the appearance of a 
malady that attacks plants of all ages and conditions, has almost 
stopped its propagation in some places, and threatened serious loss to 
all who hold either a pecuniary or sesthetic interest in it. 
Specimens of diseased plants were sent last year, and again several 
times the present year, by Mr. Geo. G. Atwood of this place. to 
Professor Riley of the Department of Agriculture at Washington. 
Professor Riley reported on each lot sent that the roots were swollen 
in places by the presence of some species of Anguillula, a nematoid 
worm, but that these were not answerable for any marked deteriora- 
tion of the plants. He also pointed out that a blackened rotting 
oceurred at the crowns, produced, it might be, by a fungus, and that 
the cause of the disease was doubtless to be looked for in that 
direction. 
Through the kindness of Mr. Atwood, and also of Mr. William 
Smith of this place, to both of whom I am also indebted for many 
other favors in the prosecution of my studies, I have been enabled 
to fully corroborate Professor Riley’s supposition, and to learn 
something of the nature of the fungus. 
fs, If a dead plant be removed from the soil, the roots at the point 
“~ “where they arise from the stem will be found to be rotten for an 
inch or more, giving ample cause for the death of the foliage 
through cutting off the supply of nourishment. The roots of the 
clematis are fieshy, nearly as thick as a goose quill, of quite uniform 
diameter, and with few branches. They possess a tough skin and a 
central woody thread, but the rest of their thickness is composed of 
a delicate white tissue (parenchyma), made rigid and brittle by a 
large deposition of starch and other food materials for the nourish- 
ment of the plant. It is in this white tissue that the fungus finds a 
