Departmental Activities. 23 



Wart Disease In Potatoes. — Attention is called to the proclama- 

 tion published in the Govermnent Gazette of 9th June, containing 

 quarantine regulations for areas infected with wart disease of pota- 

 toes. A descriptive article appeared in the May, 1922, number of the 

 Journal. 



The first specimens of wart disease in South Africa were found 

 on the farm Castle Howard, in the Impendhle Division, by Mr. S. 

 Woodrow, who had recently attended a short course at Potchefstroom, 

 which included a study of potato diseases. He suspected that the 

 trouble might be wart disease, and forwarded specimens for deter- 

 mination to Mr. Puttick, the Botanist at Potchefsiruom. Mr. Puttick 

 identified the organism in these specimens as SynchitriuTn endobioti- 

 cum, Perc, the cause of wart disease, and immediately called the 

 attention of the Department to the fact that this Avas the first record 

 of its occurrence in vSouth Africa. Steps were immediately taken to 

 trace the disease to its origin, and a thorough inspection is being 

 carried out. Up to the present only two farms. Castle Howard and 

 Killaloe, in the Impendhle Division, are known to be infected, but 

 although all seed planted on these farms since 1919 has been traced 

 to its source the origin of the disease has not yet been discovered. 



Diseases in Vegetable and Fodder Crops. — As is often the case 

 in late summer crops, diseases in vegetable gardens have been fairly 

 prevalent this season, the following crops being noticeably affected. 



Artichokes . — A rot in this crop caused by a fungus organism, at 

 present unknown, has recently been brought to the notice of the Divi- 

 sion. We have no previous record of any such trouble, and from the 

 lack of any reference to it in literature at our disposal, it would 

 appear to be an unrecorded disease of artichokes. The rot starts at 

 the stem of the tuber, and works its way downwards in a regular 

 manner, producing first a dry rot internally, later a soft black rot. 

 It is thought that the organism originates in the leafy shoots, and 

 thence travels into the tubers, but owing to the lack of material, 

 this point is uncertain. Diseased tubers should not be stored, nor 

 should they be used for seed purposes, and the soil from which they 

 are taken should be planted with some other crop next season. 



Cow peas. — This crop has apparently suffered even more than 

 other crops. At least four diseases have been recorded on it, viz., rust 

 {Uromyces a'pyendicidattis), mildew (?Erysiphe polygoni), anthrac- 

 nose {?Glomerella lindem.uthiajnnn) , and leaf spot {Ascochyta pisi). 

 Of these mildew, anthracnose, and leaf spot are new to us on this 

 host. 



Beans — leaf spot {Cercospora cruenta). 



Carrot — leaf spot (Alternaria hrassicae?). We have had no pre- 

 vious record of this fungus on carrot, and it appears to be of rare 

 occurrence. 



Beet — leaf spot {Cercospora heticola). 



Tomatoes. — Canker (Bact. vesicatoruini) still continues to be 

 prevalent. At this time of the year tomatoes thus affected present 

 an unsightly appearance, and rot very quickly. Greengrocers are 

 finding that they are unable to keep such tomatoes for any length of 

 time, and are compelled to discard large quantities of them. 



