DIVISIOX OF BOTANY 833 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



This Division has endeavoured to sarry out a widespread campaign with the objecr 

 of securing the farmers' co-operation in eradicating this disease. Inspectors have been 

 busy all over the pi'ovinces concerned, and a seed potato inspection has also been carried 

 on as far as practicable. The future will show ns whether the farmers have co-operated 

 with us and can show a clean crop of potatoes this fall. 



(h) Investigation of Specific Diseases. 

 Need for Specialization in the Investigation of Plant Diseases. «». 



The investigation of diseases of plants includes the study of the cause and life- 

 histoiy of the causal organism, but is principally undertaken for the purpose of finding 

 a cure or prevention of the disease. Investigations of this kind often require years to 

 reaich satisfactory conclusions. Some diseases have puzzled investigators for many years, 

 and yet we are no nearer to the solution of some problems than we were when the 

 disease was first taken up for study. Peach Yellows, Little Peach, Bitter Pit, Mosaic 

 diseases. Leaf curls, etc., are examples of this tj'pe. Some of these diseases were known 

 many years, the loss thej^ cause even to-day is considerable, but nothing definite is 

 known about their control. 



There is most urgent need for more specialized study of the various diseases as 

 they affect the different plants of- economic value. 



It was recently shown that the Dominion of Canada loses annually a sum of nearly 

 $17,000,0(X) from smut diseases affecting wheat, oats, and barley. The grain rust causes 

 probably a much greater loss. Obscure grain diseases are being reported from southern 

 Alberta, hence it is most necessary to devote special attention to g]*ain diseases. It is 

 hoped that such work may be commenced at an early date, when it is intended to place 

 a field laboratory in one of the western provinces in charge of an officer who will devote 

 his time exclusively to the study of these diseases and the question of rust resistance. 



VALUE OF FIELD STATIONS. 



.From the report of the officer in charge of the plant pathological laboratory in St. 

 Catharines, which is a branch of this laboratoiy, it will be seen that considerable 

 advance has been made in a comparatively short time, owing to the fact that 

 this laboratoi-y is situated in one of the most important fruit-growing centres of 

 Ontario, affording a splendid opportunity for the study of fruit diseases. The officer 

 is in close touch with the growers, is right on the spot to give advice and to demonstrate 

 the methods of control and devote his time to the study of the diseases in the orchards, 

 instead of endeavouring to experiment on vegetation not growing under the climatic or 

 cultural conditions existing in the locality where the disease occurred. 



It is felt that from the establishment of field stations in different parts of the 

 Dominion, valuable results may be expected, and it is the intention of the Minister of 

 Agriculture to afford every assistance for the extension of this work. 



STUDENTS AND PLANT PATHOLOGY. 



Students at agricultural colleges and the universities are advised to devote their 

 special attention to plant pathological science, the future of which, it is reasonable to 

 state, is most promising in the Dominion. At the present moment difficulties are 

 experienced in securing the services of young Canadians who possess such special 

 knowledge. 



CONCERNING SENDING OF PLANT-DISEASE SPECIMENS. 



During all parts of the year, but naturally more during the period of growth, tlie 

 officers are kept busy answering the many inquiries and examining specimens of diseases 



Ottawa. 



