i REPORT OF THE AGRICUETTTRAL RESEARCH 



has spread considerably in Tirhoot, Bhagalpur and Patna, 

 where owing to their proximity, these places are under the 

 direct influence of this Institute. It is also to be found in 

 Malabar, Dharwar, the West Coast, Gujarat, Kathiawar, 

 Sind, Patiala, Rohilkhund, Betul, Chanda and Murshi- 

 dabad. Progress is at present somewhat retarded by the 

 want of middlemen for collecting the cocoons from the 

 rearers and conveying them to the mills, but it is expected 

 that enterprise will eventually overcome this difficulty. 



Mycology. — The investigation into the Blister Blight 

 of Tea carried OF.t by Mr. W. McRae while he officiated as 

 Imperial Mycologist, has been the most important new work 

 undertaken during the year. The disease which has been 

 known for years in North-East Assam appeared for the 

 first time in Darjeeling in 1908. In 1909, it extended, and 

 this led to the Darjeeling Planters' Association asking the 

 assistance of this Institute. It has spread still further 

 this year into the Dooars and the Terai and its progress will 

 be watched with anxietv bv all interested in tea. 



The Palm Disease in the Godavery Delta has not ceased 

 to engage the attention of this Department, and recom- 

 mendations have been made for continuing the work of 

 repression, especially in the Kistna District wdiere, in spite 

 of the repeated warnings of the Imperial Mycologist, it 

 was being neglected. A full account of the disease and 

 measures taken to check it is in the press and will appear 

 shortly. 



Bacterioloay. — It is onlv necessarv to mention that with 

 the appointment of Mr. C. M. Hutchinson as Imperial 

 Agricultural Bacteriologist, this section has been opened 

 during the year. The importance of the study of the 

 biological aspect of soils in this country cannot be over- 

 estimated, and much useful information is anticipated from 

 investigations in this quarter. 



Cotton. — The importance of the cotton plant not only 

 to India but to the British Empire has led the Government 



