328 
Further, there are about 200 correspondents and collaborators 
distributed over the entire country; these men are usually 
educated in agricultural and horticultural schools or colleges, 
and have therefore a fundamental knowledge of plant diseases, 
pests, and their control. 
The Phytopathological Service is divided into six chief 
sections, which are able to work more or less independently of 
each other. 
i. Section for examination of diseases and infected plants. 
Information is given to agriculturists, horticulturists, foresters 
and amateurs who require advice as to the life-history of disease- 
causing fungi or animals and as to the methods tor combating 
them. If necessary, inspections are made free of cost. The 
laboratories of this section are well equipped with modern appar- 
atus for making pure cultures of fungi and raising various pests. 
Experimental fields and greenhouses have also been erected in 
order to carry out inoculation experiments. The investigations 
are carried on in a general manner; they are not conducted 
extensively nor purely scientifically, though enough is being 
‘done to provide for correct diagnoses of diseases and to 
recommend suitable remedies. 
This division also sends, when necessary, contributions on 
‘diseases to various periodicals and newspapers. It issues warnings 
at various times when certain diseases may become prevalent. 
It distributes pamphlets, which treat in a popular way of 
diseases and pests of special interest and kindred subjects. 
ii. The second section takes charge of methods of combating 
diseases and pests of horticultural crops, and forms a very 
important branch of the Phytopathological Service. Such a 
branch is especially necessary in a country like Holland, eee 
horticulture is mainly developed in centres; where sometimes 
several hundred growers are near each other, such as Boskoop, 
Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk, and other places, where the growers have 
‘one common interest in their work. In such localities it is 
necessary to use every efficient method to combat disease. 
Further, inquiries are made as to the distribution and virulence 
of certain diseases. Lectures and field demonstrations are given 
whenever necessary, and short notices are sent to local news- 
The staff receives much co-operation from its many collaborators 
in this line of work. Publications of a somewhat technical nature 
for the horticulturist are abstracted and utilised as propaganda. 
ii. The third section is interested in combating diseases and 
pests from an agricultural standpoint, and works upon the same 
principles as the former. It covers a much larger area, because 
at the present time agriculture is. not as intensively centralised 
as horticulture. In this respect also collaborators are of great 
help, and are well acquainted with most diseases and pests of 
