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North Dakota Agricultural College. BIOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT H. L. Dolley, PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY BOTANIST TO THE EXPERIMENT STATION
My Dear Sir: The circular letter which accompanies this is perhaps self-explanatory. Most work in connection with wheat rust has been done from the basis of local infection. My chief aim in asking the observation of men at the different stations upon the points mentioned, is to gain light upon the relationship of the uredospores to the "general infection"--In other words, may the spores from a particular locality, (say some southern state where the rust perhaps is perennial), infect in order of development all the wheat fields of the country, or is the chief source of infection local? Besides, such a simultaneous system of observation and reports must in itself develop many interesting general facts.
In connection with this work, I expect to make careful tests of spore vitality, and at the proper time make observations across the country from south to north. Being so far north, many southern reports may be received before the rust reaches this region, hence I hope to be in position to make a more intelligent study of the rust in the field.
Hoping this may not be asking too much, and that I may recieve at least a short report upon point (4) with its sub-heads, and many other suggestions, I am Yours, respectfully, H.L. Bolley
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COOPERATIVE OBSERVATIONS UPON RUSTS OF CEREALS.
It is with the hope of interesting more persons in the investigation of the rusts, and of being able to place before the public other feets concerning these diseases than are possible to individuals working apparately, that I ask, for the coming season, the cooperative observations and reports of fellow investigators upon the following general points:
1. Has the mycelium of any or all of the following rusts: Puccinia graminis. P. Rubigo-vera. or P. coronata succeeded in passing the winter alive in the tissues of their hosts, in your locality?
2. During what months of the past autumn and winter have you noticed uredospore pustules forming upon winter cereals? What species of rusts?
3. Note date in spring when first new pustules of uredospores are undoubtedly forming upon new plants. In other words, when there are some indications that the disease is spreading from plant to plant by means of the uredospores. In this connection kindly note: (a) mean daily temperature, (b) if possible, atmospheric humidity, (c) species of rusts
4. Note date of general infection of wheat and oats. By general infection is meant that time (usually occupying from two to three days between the time of flowering and ripening) at which red rust seems to become general throughout a given locality. In connection with this, kindly note: (a) the direction of the prevailing winds for three or four days during first period of general infection, (b) mean daily temperature, and (c) if possible, the atmospheric humidity, (d) the host plant and the species of rust. (If there is doubt concerning the rust, a specimen will gladly be received and determined).
5. Miscellania: Any notes regarding rusts of cereals--vitality of uredospores, mode of first infection of host, etc.
At the close of the season the facts sollated from these cooperative reports, together with my own investigations, will be carefully edited and published in bulletin form, due credit being given to all.
Yours respectfully, [signature]
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North Dakota Agricultural College
H. E. STOCKBRIDGE, PH. D. Fargo, South Dakota, June 24, 1891
Dr. C. E. Bessey, Lincoln, Neb. My Dear Sir: If there is any red rust to be found upon wheat or oats in your neighborhood, and you can obtain it fairly easy, I would be very much pleased if you would send me in a letter a few leaves bearing the same. I wish to use the uredo for inoculation purposes before it strikes this vicinity. I have recieved some from various other Southern localities and find that they germinate all right.
Very truly yours, H.L. Bolley