120 



IRISH GARDENING. 



A Warning to Potato 

 Growers. 



AM O S T destructive disease affecting 

 potatoes known as the "black scab," or 

 warty disease, has become epidemic in 

 certain parts of Great Britain, and as it has not 

 yet been reported as occurring" in Ireland, 



Fig. I. — Tuber showing the warty outgrowth produced as a result 

 of the attack of the principal eye at the rose end. 



potato growers will do well to keep a sharp 

 look out for it, with the view of destroying all 

 tubers that show the least sign of the disease, 

 and so, if possible, check its spread in this 

 country. It is most destructive in its effects. 



Fig. 2.- -Tuber showing many eyes attacked, and the warty out- 

 growths spreading and coalescing. 



and almost impossible to eradicate once it 

 becomes established. 



The Department of Agriculture has issued an 

 illustrated leaflet on the subject, and, through 

 the courtesy of its publication branch, we are 

 able to reproduce the three illustrations, show- 

 ing the external appearance of the diseased 



tubers and a magnified representation of the 

 spores of the destructive parasitic fungus that 

 is the direct cause of the disease. 



The photograph showing the warty outgrowth 

 is in itself sufficient to enable anyone to recog- 

 nise the trouble. The warts, however, may be 

 so small as to be easily overlooked. The cells 

 of the warty tissue contain the resting spores 

 of the fungus, and these are clearly shown in 

 Fig. 3. It is by means of these spores that the 

 disease spreads. Clearly, then, all such affected 

 tubers should be immediately destroyed by fire. 

 It is most important in the interests of the Irish 

 seed-potato trade to keep our stock free from 

 all suspicion of the disease. In case of doubt, 

 samples should be submitted to an expert for 



Fig. 3. — Thin slice of marginal part of warty growth showing the 

 thick-walled resting spores situated in the cells of the tissue 

 (highly magnified). 



examination. We shall be pleased to examine 

 and report upon any " suspects " submitted to 

 us by readers of this journal. Copies of the 

 Department's leaflet (No. 91) may be had on 

 application to the Secretary, Department of 

 Agriculture, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin. 



5^* ^^^ ^5* 



A Note from Glasnevin. 



Campanula Longlstyla. — This species adds another 

 attraction to the beautiful and interesting members of 

 the campanula tribe. It has flowered this year for the 

 first time at Glasnevin, and plants in flower can be seen 

 outside the Water House and in various other parts of 

 the garden. The plant is perfectly hardy, and the 

 flowers are a good, deep, shining violet, hanging from 

 stems which vary in height from one foot to five feet. 

 Campaii ula longistyla is, perhaps unfortunately, a biennial, 

 which means that seedlings must be raised each year if a 

 succession is to be kept up. This species was first 

 described by Mr. V. Fomaine in a publication issued by 

 the authorities of the Tiflis Botanic Garden. It gets its 

 name from the long style, and is a native of Trans- 

 caucasia. Sir Trevor Lawrence received an " Award 

 of Merit " for this campanula at a meeting of the Royal 

 Horticultural Society of England held in London in 

 August, 1907. R. M. Pollock. 



