144 



Handbook of Potato Diseases.* — The Department of Agricul- 

 ture for Victoria lias recently issued a work by Mr, D. Mc Alpine, 

 Government Vegetable Pathologist, on the fungus diseases of the 

 potato in Australia. The volume, though dealing only with 

 diseases occurring in that continent, forms a useful contribution 

 to the literature of the subject and will be appreciated in many 

 countries outside Australia. There are some 100 pages of general 

 text, 50 plates, and appendices dealing with animal pests, regula- 

 tions as to potato diseases in the State of Victoria, and in the entire 

 Commonwealth, together with data as to temperature and rainfall, 

 factors intimately connected with the distribution of disease in a 

 territory such as Australia. The general part is concerned with 



the following: — Phytophthora injestans^ Macrosporium Solani, 

 Hypochnus Solani (= RMzoctonia) , "" Scab ^^ ( of which various 

 types are distinguished), Fusaritnn Solaniy Bacillus Solanacearum^ 

 and several other diseases of minor importance. By far the largest 

 portion of the book is taken up with the '^ Irish Blight ^' {Phytoph- 

 thora), a great deal of useful information being brought together, 

 including the results of the author's own experiments and obser- 

 vations. The debated question of the part actually played by 

 hibernating mycelium in the propagation of the fungus is dis- 

 cussed in detail. Evidence is brought forward showing the import- 

 ance of this source of infection, and the autlior believes that in 

 Australia it is very largely responsible for the continuation and 

 spread of the disease. 



The other maladies being less serious have not been the subject 

 of so much enqiiiry, but '^ Scab '' is treated at some length, and a 

 few new observations are recorded. The subject of spraying and 

 disinfection of ^^ seed '^ also receives attention. It is worthy of 

 note that two of the worst diseases in this country, namely, Wart 

 Disease (Synchytrium endohioticum) and Corky Scab {Spongo- 



spora scabies) are not known in any part of Australia. 



A. D. C. 



* Handbook of Fungus Diseases of the Potato in Australia and then 

 Treatment, by D. McAlpine, pp. iii.+215, with 168 figures and a map 

 De2)artment of Agriculture, Victoria. 



Ed- 



