Professor W. A. Kellerman in the first annual report of the Kansas Experiment Station describes a blight of the sorghum plant, which is characterized by reddish blotches on the leaves, leaf sheaths and roots. The disease may in some cases entirely kill the plant, or in mildew cases simply check the growth. The blotches are irregular in shape, though mostly more or less elongated; but they may widen, so as to involve the entire surface. A very faint orange discoloration is usually the first indication of the diseased spots, which become deeper, changing to various shades of red, and finally to a very dark red. The affection of the leaf extends to the roots, and in some cases the stem at the junction with the roots also becomes discolored and diseased. The cause of the malady is a form of bacteria, which Prof. Burrell found in the affected parts and named Bacillus Sorghi. The author was able to cultivate these organisms upon sterilized potato and in other nutrient media, material from pure cultures being used to inoculate healthy plants. The result of these inoculations was the production of red streaks like those on the original specimens.

The author claims that the disease can be transmitted, to a certain extent, at least, through the agency of soil, infection resulting in most cases by planting seed in soil from a diseased field, while seed planted in soil taken from a source removed from probable contamination gave plants quite or nearly free from the trouble. Burrell claims that the bacillus can retain its vitality through the winter in stalks and stubble remaining in the field, and hence advises the burning of all diseased material, and a proper rotation so as to avoid infection by planting a second crop upon an infected field.