42 REPORT OF iflE AGRlCOLTtJRAL RESEARCH 



will be continued so as to provide a nucleus for a mycologi- 

 cal herbarium in every provincial college. The detailed 

 syllabus for an elementary course of lectures and practical 

 work in Indian Mycology, drawn up last year, is being 

 utilised as a basis for the mycological instruction in several 

 colleges. The recommendation of the Board of Agriculture 

 of 1908, that each province should have at least an Assist- 

 ant Professor of Mycology and one other assistant is being 

 worked up to fairly well. Besides Madras, which has now 

 its own Mycologist, Mr. McRae, with one scientific assist- 

 ant, Bengal, Bombay and the Punj ab have each an Assistant 

 Professor of Mycology attached to its colilege, the two 

 former having a Mycological Assistant as well. The 

 Central Provinces College has a Mycological Assistant, and 

 Eastern Bengal a Mycological Collector. All these, except 

 the Bombay Assistant Professor, have been trained at 

 Pusa. 



5. Research Work. Blister Bhgkt of Tea. — This was 

 the most important new work taken up 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 the Darjeeling Planters' 

 Association asked for the assistance of Pusa. Mr. McHae 

 spent a considerable time in a local investigation of the 

 blight. The life-history of the fungus {Exohasidium 

 vexans Massee), before imperfectly known, was fully 

 worked out and an extensive series of experiments on 

 remedial measures undertaken. As a result of these, 

 definite recommendations were made for the cold weather 

 of 1909-10 and general measures for the control of the blight 

 advocated. The results of the work were communicated 

 in two reports to the Darjeeling Planters' Association, by 

 which body they were printed for circulation to the 

 planters concerned. In the present season, the blight is 

 continuing to spread and already threatens the Dooars 

 and Terai. Its progress will be watched with great 

 anxiety by all interested in tea. It is feared that the 

 climatic conditions prevalent in these districts will induce 



