The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-14
The ORIGIN OF RUST.
Cerealist Of the Agricultural De-
partment Endorses the Theory
\ Of Prof. freeman.
Prof. Bolley Of the North Dakota
gu" Goes Abroad to Study
Flax Culture.

From The Journal Bureau, Room IS, Posi- Build.
Y ing, Washington.
Washington May 14.-Recently T. e
J ournal published local story about
the discoveries of Professor Il. M.
Freeman, assistant professor OF botany
in the University of Minnesota. con-
/ corning grain rust I submitted that
article to Mark H. Carleton, cerealist
Of the department Of agriculture. the
governments expert authority on such
questions. and asked him II he cared to
discuss Professor Freeman's work; and
he replied: .
speaking broadly, I concur in what
Professor Freeman has said, altho have
not as yet had a copy Of his paper. I
+ have seen it referred to and quoted from,
however, in an elaborate paper on the
question Of grain rust, written by Marshall
Ward Of Cambridge university, under
whom Professor Freeman studied. These
gentlemen have arrived at very similar
conclusions, evidently, regarding the origin
of rust, and their Investigations are Of
much interest and Importance to agrlcul-
tture.
"At the same time, however, I do not
think that Mr.. Ward has entirely escaped
criticism In his attempt to upset the the
+ ory of Erickson, for the reason that he
has not experimental with the same kind
of rust that formed the basis Of the Erick-
son experiments. Erickson used what Is
known as yellow rust, which has never
appeared in America or In England. Be-
fore the Ward conclusions can be scien-
tific and conclusive it seems to me that
they should deal with this yellow rust.
Whether Professor Freeman has expert
rnented with 1t or not am unable to say,
not having seen a copy Of his paper.
II have been anxious for years to Sc
cure some of this yellow rust for ship
ment to the United States for purposes Of
study, but have hesitated about placing
an order, owing to the possibility that
some of 1t might get away from us and
find permanent Judgment In the fields
around Washington.
For a long time 1t has been known that
4 rust lives thru from one season to an
other and in the spring is communicated
from the dead stalks to the living grain.
+ My own ideas as to the origin of rust
agree perfectly with those Of Professor
Freeman and Mr.. Ward, so far as all
grusts known to this country are concerned,
and have no doubt their Investigations
will prove Of much value to the American
farmer
To Study Foreign Flax.
Professor II. L. Bolley Of the North
Dakota, Agricultural college is regarded by
the department of agriculture as one Of
the leading authorities in this country
on the general subject Of fax, which
explains why he has been selected by
cations abroad this year. He will be gone
over the fax crop. which means that his
trip will last for three months or longer,
.s and he will make long stops In Holland,
Belgium France, Germany and Russia,
more particularly in Russia. ss@
It is known to the department Of agri-
culture, thru Professor Bolley's researches
that flax diseases similar to those prevail
ing in this country, abound in Europe, and
yet that the flax crops there: are heavy
and unfailing. It Is also known that
Europe has several varieties OF immune
fax. We have immune flax In this coun.
try also. n go 81 f34f 8 u
1t. viii be Professor Bolley's special mis-
sion to inquire into fax diseases abroa,
and to secure samples Of the best immune
flax in the countries he will visit These
will be brought to the United States. ir
the hope that by crossing them with home
varieties. or planting them alone, va.
rieties may be secured here which will
be sturd1er than any that we now have
If fax can be raised at a fine profit ii
"a Europe. Notwithstanding disease 1t Is be
l1eVed by agricultural department expert.
~ that 1T can be SO raised in the United
States. Professor Bolley's trip, therefore
becomes Of the highest Importance t,
everybody in this country who4is. inter
ested IN flax culture. and his report, which
the government will issue as a bulletin
y OF the department Of agriculture, will b.
In good demand. 1t is out of the question
4 to fortell what he will discover, or wha
the value Of these discoveries will be
but the department Is in earnest in it
desire to improve the home flax marke
IN all ways possible. and to render tn
plants as free as possible from dis
Fl ease.
The practical effect of Professor Bolley'
visit. should it prove successful, as
doubtless will do. will be to hasten b
several seasons the checking Of diseas
among American flax plants He will re
turn with all information on the subjec
4 which can be had, and this informatio
+ will at once be placed at the dispose
Of the country.
w, w. Jerrnane