-54 REPORT OF THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE 



with modifications suggested by the previous experiment, 

 and a further series of infections is about to be carried out 

 at Dehra Dun in co-operation with the Forest Botanist; it 

 is hoped that these will yield decisive results. 



(9) Other diseases of interest. The " black-dot " dis- 

 ease of potatoes caused by Vermicularia varians, was 

 reported from Eanchi during the year. It was previously 

 known only in France, Australia and South Africa. The 

 extent of the injury it can cause is not yet determined. 

 Peach leaf curl was found in the same locality and is 

 reported to be very prevalent around Peshaw T ar. It is 

 hoped to arrange for trials in its treatment during the 

 coming year. A disease of shaftal (Trifolium repe?is), 

 caused by Polythrincium Trifolii (new to India) was found 

 near Peshawar. Diseases of barley were much in evidence 

 in the Pusa crop last season, the chief parasites recorded 

 being Puccinia simplex and Ustilago nuda (not previously 

 seen in India), Puccinia glumarum, Ustilago Hordei and 

 Helminthosporium gramineum. A case of serious injury 

 to a mango orchard at Malcla from the fumes of a brick-kiln 

 was examined. It differed from previous cases of the kind 

 in the injury being chiefly to the fruit, not the branches. 

 It is evident that the mango is peculiarly susceptible to such 

 fumes. The study of the smuts of jowar, which are 

 amongst the most destructive diseases in India, has been 

 taken up by Mr. Kulkarni, Mycological Assistant to the 

 Bombay Department of Agriculture, who completed his 

 investigation at Pusa. No less than four distinct species 

 attack this crop but the two more usual forms can readily 

 be prevented by seed treatment. It is hoped to secure the 

 universal adoption of this treatment ultimately, with a 

 saving to the cultivators of several crores of rupees 

 annually. 



IV. Miscellaneous. 



During my absence on leave the manuscript of a book 

 on fungi as a cause of plant disease in India was almost 

 completed. It has since been finished and revised anol the 



