Departmental Activities. 17 



by almost every mail, chiefly the varieties Up-to-Date and Early Rose 

 from France. Five per cent, of a mark are examined. The quality on the 

 whole has been good — the percentage of affected tubers being very small. 

 Pear Scab or Ftisicladtum.- — Scab (Venturia pyrina) is fairly 

 common this season, especially on varieties which are known to be 

 susceptible. Beurre Bosc, Jargonelle, and Clapp's Favourite are 

 varieties suffering rather severely, with a little on William's Bon 

 Chretien, and the Christmas Pear at French Hoek, but none on the 

 Keiffer. The Beurre Bosc crop seems to be poor ; this is ascribed to 

 the cold spring. Spraying experiments on the control of this disease 

 are being carried out at Mr. P. R. Malleson's farm, Ida's Valley, 

 Stellenbosch, in collaboration witli Capt. W. H. Larmutb. 



Apple Scab. — I have not yet seen a single specimen of Fusi- 

 cladium on apples ; this is contrary to expectation, as the season seemed 

 to be ideal for it. The reason is perhaps delayed blossoming, which 

 is about two weeks later than usual in some parts. I was told by a 

 prominent grower in French Hoek that the varieties White Winter 

 Pearmain, Red New Year, and Wemmers Hoek are more susceptible 

 than others in that locality. 



Oak AfildeuK — Many incjuiries have been received lately about a 

 mildew on the leaves of oaks throughout the Peninsula. There seems 

 to be quite an epidemic of this disease this season, owing to the 

 unusually favourable conditions. (Jnly the Oidivm stage has-been 

 found so far. 



Peach Leaf Curl and Shot hole in apricot leaves have been par- 

 ticularly prevalent this year. Owing to the sporadic nature of many 

 diseases growers are apt to get lulled into a false sense of security, 

 and think only of control very often when a disease is beyond control. 



Flag Smut of Wheat.- — This disease caused by the fungus 

 Utocystis tritici Keorn. has been known in the Western Province for 

 about 15 years, though no great loss is attributed to it. I should not 

 be surprised, however, if the total loss caused by it for this period is 

 very much greater than is supposed. A short account of this disease 

 and of its occurrence in the Zeerust District, is given in the June 

 number of the Journal. A common name for this disease in South 

 Africa is Tidp Brand. I should be very grateful for any information 

 from wheat growers in the Western Province on this disease, such as 

 when it was first noticed, extent of damage caused by it, etc. 



Any one in the W^estern Province interested in the growing of 

 plants, whether it be on a large scale or only in the flower or the 

 kitchen garden, who is troubled by unknown plant diseases, is 

 requested to communicate with and send specimens for identification 

 fo the Government Mycologist, Department of Agriculture, 71 

 Parliament Street, Capetown. 



TOBACCO AND COTTON. 



On account of the early rains of this summer most tobacco and 

 cotton crops were planted or in course of planting by October and 

 November, and early plantings are making good growth. Work at 

 the various centres of the Division was in full swing during the month, 

 and a great deal of instruction was given in the culture of the crops. 

 Spraying experiments were carried out at tlic Piet Retief Experiment 

 Station in connection with the tobacco beetle. 



