A further note on the antiseptic treatment of timber, recording results obtained from past experiments, R. S. PEARSON (Indian Forest Rec., 6 (1918), No. 4, pp. VII +128, pls. 14).—This note records progress made in the antiseptic experiments that were started several years ago (E. S. R., 27, p. 148), and also records the data secured from more recent experiments.

The subject matter is presented under the following general headings: Previous records and objects of the investigation; the results of laboratory experiments; results of field experiments; timber treated by the open-tank process; miscellaneous field experiments carried out with sleepers treated in open tanks; records of experiments carried out in pressure plants with Indian and other varieties of timber; factors governing the treatment of timber; and general discussion of the treatment of timber in India. A list of publications and reports dealing with the antiseptic treatment of timber is appended.

Production of lumber, lath, and shingles in 1916, F. H. SMITH and A. H. PIERSON (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 673 (1918), pp. 43, figs. 3).—This bulletin gives detailed statistics on the production of lumber, lath, and shingles in 1916 with comparisons with previous years. The data given include production by classes, by mills, by States, and by kinds of wood.

The estimated total production of lumber in the United States during 1916 was 40,000,000,000 ft. b. m., or approximately 5 per cent greater than in 1915. The quantity actually reported by 17,269 active mills was 34,791,385,000 ft. b. m.

DISEASES OF PLANTS.

Plant diseases [in 1916], R. H. BIFFEN (Jour. Roy. Agr. Soc. England, 77 (1916), pp. 218-220).-Notes are given referring to cereal diseases, mostly due to such fungi as Leptosphæria, Ophiobolus, Cladosporium, and Septoria. Other diseases of cereals include ergot, bunt, mildew, and "blind" ears (Helminthosporium). Diseases named as of minor interest are apple mildew and scab, apple and plum brown rot, and strawberry gray mold.

Summary report on the work of the botanical and mycological division [1916], T. PETCH (Dept. Agr. Ceylon, Rpt. Dir., 1916, pp. 6, 7).—The outstanding feature of the year as regards disease of Hevea is said to have been the prevalence of pod disease and the consequent leaf fall caused by the same fungus and due to the continuance of the monsoon rains through August and September. Ustulina zonata, the cause of root disease, and Kretzschmaria micropus, found in old canker wounds on Hevea, also occur on old Hevea logs. Abandoned tea under rubber served as a starting point for Fomes semitostus (F. lignosus) or as a carrier for this fungus between rubber trees. Hevea stumps have proved to be centers for the dispersal of U. zonata, F. semitostus, and Poria hypobrunnea, as cacao stumps have served for the transmission of the first two of these fungi and for brown root disease. A disease of Hevea, known in Ceylon since 1905 and attributed to P. vincta, occurred during two years just prior to this report on Hevea and Tephrosia candida at Gangaruwa and on Hevea stumps near Peradeniya. Miscellaneous fungi which are named as found on Hevea during the year are Ascochyta heveæ n. sp. and Sphærella heveœ n. sp. on Hevea leaves; and Venturia emergens n. sp., Fracchiœa brevisarbata, Phlyctana heveæ n. sp., F. depressa n. sp., and Haplosporella crypta n. sp. on Hevea branches.

A serious and apparently new disease of tea is caused by Hypochnus sp., which may prove to be identical with that producing the threads noted in connection with Hemileia vastatrix on coffee. A stem disease of tea is under investigation. Nectria diversispora has been obtained from the diseased tissue.

1.

Miscellaneous fungi recorded during the year included Oidium sp., on egg plant; Erysiphe polygoni on Pisum sativum; Colletotrichum orchidacearum and Fusarium sp. on cultivated orchids; Glæosporium musarum, Scolecotrichum musa, Brachysporium torulosum, Macrophoma musa, and Glomerella sp. on plantains; Melanconium sp. on pomegranate; Colletotrichum sp. on Crotalaria ; and Tubercularia sp. on roselle.

[Report on plant pathology], C. H. KNOWLES (Fiji Dept. Agr. Ann. Rpt. 1916, pp. 29–31).-The continued investigation of fungus diseases of plants (E. S. R., 36, p. 347) is reported.

Leaf spots of Hevea were associated apparently with Pestalozzia sp., Septoria sp., Colletotrichum sp., or Glæosporium sp., and a disease of seeds and pods with Sphæronema album. Leaves of a wild lemon from Suva showing yellowish spots yielded a fungus which may be C. glæosporioides. Peanuts at Nasinu showed a leaf spot ascribed to Cercospora personata. Members of the genus Cercospora appear on a number of plants in Fiji, including Phaseolus mungo, Giant cowpea, Mikania scandens, Mauritius beans, Convolvulus sp., and Tacca pinnatifida. The banana diseases previously noted (E. S. R., 38, p. 651) are briefly described. Dracæna leaves from the Rewa River showed a trouble producing dead tips, which is ascribed to a Fusarium. Eucharis grandiflora showing a leaf spot appeared to be attacked by a fungus of the group Sphæriaceæ. Durante sp. showed a bark disease which apparently does no harm. Diseases previously referred to but further observed during this year include coconut leaf spot (Pestalozzia palmarum and Graphiola cocoina). Date palm was attacked by G. phonicis, which has also been found on Livistonia sp. Pestalozzia sp. was found on the leaves of Para rubber in two places where it had appeared in previous years. Glæosporium pestis was found to attack the leaves of the more susceptible varieties of yams at Nasinu. Hemeleia vastatrix is noted as still present at the Nasinu Station. Pestalozzia sp. was noted on Kentia macarthurii and Colletotrichum sp. on Licuala grandis.

Phytopathological notes, A. A. L. RUTGERS (Meded. Alg. Proefstat. Alg. Ver. Rubberplanters Oostkust Sumatra, Rubber Ser., No. 4 (1917), pp. 25–29; Arch. Rubbercult. Nederland. Indië, 1 (1917), No. 4, pp. 313-317).—In these notes the author discusses briefly information collected in 1916 and 1917 regarding insects of economic importance in connection with rubber and their control; such fungi as Ustulina zonata, Poria sp., Phyllosticta heveæ, Cephaleuros virescens, Fomes sp.; and injury from lightning.

Methods and formulas used in plant disease control, H. E. THOMAS (Porto Rico Sta. Circ. 17 (1918), pp. 24-28).-Brief accounts are given of various means of control of plant diseases, and formulas for the preparation of fungicides are presented.

The influence of X-rays on the development of the crown gall, I. LEVIN and M. LEVINE (Proc. Soc. Expt. Biol. and Med., 15 (1917), No. 2, pp. 24, 25).— Basing their work upon the facts that the main biological and therapeutic action of X-rays consists in inhibition of the proliferating capacity of young undifferentiated cells, and that crown gall (as well as cancer) is a new growth caused by continuous proliferation of a group of cells which normally do not proliferate, the authors studied the effect of X-rays on agar subcultures of Bacterium tumefaciens and on young Ricinus plants. Preliminary experiments having shown that with the technique employed normal plants are not disturbed by the influence of X-rays and that inoculations of Ricinus with B. tumefaciens are uniformly successful, the X-ray treatment was given to each plant six times at intervals of two days. Each of the control plants developed a large crown gall, the majority of the X-rayed plants developed no 87001-No. 5-18-5

growth, and only a slight swelling appeared at the point of inoculation. In ten cases there developed a small stunted growth.

A microscopic study of X-rayed galls is held to indicate that the main immediate action of the X-ray on the cells of the crown gall is not in the destruction of the cells directly but in the arrest of the proliferating process. It is thought that the rays inhibit the functions of the cells and do not destroy the bacteria. A fuller report of this study is to be given later.

Cereal diseases and the national food supply, H. B. HUMPHREY (U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1917, pp. 481-495, pls. 4).—Attention is called to the losses due to diseases of cereals, and suggestions are given for the elimination of a considerable amount of the damage caused by different species of fungi. The means suggested for reducing the losses are seed treatment, cultivation of resistant varieties, etc.

A third biologic form of Puccinia graminis on wheat, M. N. LEVINE and E. C. STAKMAN (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 12, pp. 651–654).— During the progress of cooperative investigations between the Minnesota Experiment Station and the Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, the authors observed a form of P. graminis which attacks several species of wheat that have hitherto proved resistant to the ordinary forms of wheat rust.

Another strain of Puccinia graminis, L. E. MELCHERS and J. H. PARKER (Kansas Sta. Circ. 68 (1918), pp. 4).—A biological form of P. graminis is described, for which the name P. graminis tritici-inficiens is proposed. This form has been found to attack readily three varieties of hard red winter wheat which have hitherto been resistant to the usual form of P. graminis tritici on wheat.

A bacterial disease of wheat in the Punjab, C. M. HUTCHINSON (Mem. Dept. Agr. India, Bact. Ser., 1 (1917), No. 7, pp. 169–175, pls. 4).-A bacterial disease of wheat said to have been present for many years in the Punjab and under observation since 1908 is reported to have a low thermal death point and to be kept in check by this fact and by the dryness which is usually prevalent. A possible connection of the attack with nematode injury has been suggested. The name Pseudomonas tritici n. sp. is suggested in connection with the description which is given. Drainage and thorough cultivation are recommended as remedial measures.

Researches on disease resistance in red clover: Preliminary report, S. M. BAIN (Trans. Tenn. Acad. Sci., 2 (1914–1917), p. 85).—It is stated that there is a great difference between the behavior of resistant and that of nonresistant strains of red clover toward anthracnose (Colletotrichum trifolii). Selections made at the Tennessee Experiment Station in 1905 have transmitted their resistant character to offspring under field conditions up to the time of this report. Results of preliminary studies indicate that this resistance is at least partly due to the chemical nature of the cell contents. Spores of the fungus placed in hanging drop cultures in contact with fresh sections of the stems showed very large differences in growth rate, amounting to as much as 300 per cent in an average of a series of cultures.

Report of the associate plant pathologist, C. D. SHERBAKOFF (Florida Sta. Rpt. 1917, pp. 76-86, figs. 6).-The investigations reported upon are mainly those of vegetable diseases, the work having been conducted as previously (E. S. R., 37, p. 651).

Additional information is given regarding the damping-off of vegetable seedlings due to Rhizoctonia solani. A breaking over of eggplant seedlings due to Phomopsis sp. is described, and it is stated that at least 25 per cent of the plants in one field were thus affected.

A bacterial spot of peppers is described at some length, the fruit, leaves, and stems being attacked. The disease is believed to be similar to, if not identical with, one previously described from Texas (E. S. R., 26, p. 645). An infection of pepper stems, to which the name pepper pink joint has been given, is briefly described, and, in attempts to isolate the organism causing the trouble, a fungus that could not be distinguished from Sclerotinia libertiana has been isolated. As yet no inoculations have been made to determine whether or not this organism is the cause of the disease.

Notes are given on a number of other diseases of more or less importance, together with suggestions for their control.

Experiments on the control of bean anthracnose and bean blight, J. H. MUNCIE (Michigan Sta. Tech. Bul. 88 (1917), pp. 3–50, pls. 4).—After an account of anthracnose of bean due to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and blight of bean due to Bacterium phaseoli, a report is given of experiments for the control of these diseases, including a bibliography of bean diseases.

Both diseases are said to be widespread and serious in Michigan and to be the cause of considerable loss in the crop. Both diseases are carried on the seed and may be carried frou plant to plant in drops of water. The anthracnose is checked by high temperatures and by an absence of moisture, while the blight causes serious damage during dry seasons. Both organisms are said to overwinter in the soil or on diseased trash. Neither organism survives passage through the alimentary tract of cattle, but they may be carried to the field on diseased bean trash in manure.

In experiments for the control of these diseases, seed treatments with commercial solutions, as well as wet and dry heat, have failed to produce satisfactory results. Spraying, if the material is applied thoroughly and the applications are made soon enough, should control both the anthracnose and the blight. It is claimed that these diseases can be greatly reduced through the use of clean seed, such as can best be secured by pod selection or from Michigan seed grown for one year in California or Idaho, where the diseases do not exist.

Native western beans, it is said, can not be grown successfully in Michigan. Sun scald of beans, H. G. MACMILLAN (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 12, pp. 647-650, pls. 3).—A description is given of a spotting and streaking of bean pods and stems in Colorado, the injury being attributed to sun scald. This investigation was carried on at the Colorado Experiment Station. While the pods are disfigured, no damaging effect has been observed due to scald. No variety of bean has been found to be immune to sun scald, when sufficiently exposed. It is stated that at certain stages of the disease, the appearance may be readily mistaken for bacterial infection, and can be differentiated from it only by microscopic examination.

Some bacterial diseases of lettuce, NELLIE A. BROWN (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 7, pp. 367–388, pls. 14).-This paper, which is a contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, is designed to classify some of the common bacterial soft rots of lettuce, and it deals with four types of disease. Two of the diseases described were observed in 1916, one in South Carolina and Virginia and the other in Kansas, the latter occurring on greenhouse-grown plants. The South Carolina and Virginia disease is due to Bacterium vitians n. sp., while the one from Kansas is attributed to B. marginale n. sp. Technical descriptions of both organisms are given.

Recent progress in potato disease work in Maine, W. J. MORSE (Agr. of Maine, 1916, pp. 246–258).—The author discusses the work being done on potato diseases in Maine. The diseases dealt with include mosaic, net necrosis,

spindling sprout, Rhizoctonia stem injury or "little potato disease," blackleg of the potato, and powdery scab.

Influence of temperature and precipitation on the blackleg of potato, J. ROSENBAUM and G. B. RAMSEY (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 10, pp. 507–513, fig. 1).—The results are given of a cooperative investigation of the Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, and the Maine Experiment Station of the overwintering of the blackleg organism (Bacillus phytophthorus) in the soil and of the relation of temperature and precipitation to the severity of the disease.

Badly diseased tubers were placed in the soil in the fall and allowed to remain there during the winter. The following spring, selected tubers were planted in the same rows where the diseased potatoes had passed the winter. No evidence could be obtained to indicate that the blackleg organism, under the winter conditions existing in Aroostook County, Me., during 1915-16 and 1916-17, or at Norfolk, Va., during 1916-17, can live over in the soil or in diseased tubers that may remain there. The severity of the disease during the growing season is said to be closely correlated with temperature and precipitation and is dependent upon them. High temperature and low precipitation tend to diminish the disease, while low temperature and high precipitation produce conditions favorable to it.

Pox, or pit (soil rot), of the sweet potato, J. J. TAUBENHAUS (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 9, pp. 437-450, pls. 2).-In a contribution from the Texas Experiment Station, the author describes pot or pit, of the sweet potato, a disease he has had under investigation for a considerable time at the Delaware and Texas Experiment Stations. This disease, which has been shown by Elliott to be due to Cystospora batata (E. S. R., 36, p. 544), is said to be of economic importance and to be widely distributed.

So far as investigations have indicated, the infection seems to be confined to attacks in the field, little or no injury being reported in storage from this organism. In addition to the sweet potato, the Irish potato and turnip are known to be attacked, and the beet and tomato are suspected of being susceptible hosts. The organism is believed to hibernate as cysts in the soil. Associated with the organism causing pox, Actinomyces poolensis n. sp. has been found as a wound parasite. The red varieties of the sweet potato are said to possess considerable resistance to pox. Rotation of crops seems to offer the best means of control.

Effects of various salts, acids, germicides, etc., upon the infectivity of the virus causing the mosaic disease of tobacco, H. A. ALLARD (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 12, pp. 619–637).—An account is given of experi ments carried on in the Bureau of Plant Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture to determine the effects of different concentrations of salts, acids, alkalis, germicides, etc., upon the infectivity of the virus which causes the mosaic disease of tobacco. In all about 30 chemicals were used, many of them proving to be without effect. Mixed with talc, kaolin, or soil, the virus was found frequently to lose its infectious properties more quickly than when bottled without the addition of any preservative.

Inoculation experiments with species of Coccomyces from stone fruits, G. W. KEITT (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 11, pp. 539–569, pls. 5, figs. 3).-Results are given of an investigation carried on at the Wisconsin Experiment Station, in which more than 1,000 cross-inoculation tests were made with Coccomyces spp. from the more common species of Prunus, to determine the possibility of the wild species acting as hosts to the organism.

It is believed to be indicated, though not conclusively, that in Wisconsin no serious infection of cultivated cherries is induced by the presence of wild