1900] 



CURRANT GALL MITE. 



45 



It was obvious that, if under the above circuiustances mitegalls 

 appeared on the growth from the removed roots, the mites must have 

 travelled with the plants, and we should gain the information that the 

 mites did not always spend their whole lives on the " above ground " 

 part of the plants. 



Phytoptcs ribis. — 1, mite, magnified ; 2, Hlack Currant shoot, with two galled 

 buds and one in natural state. 



My own garden at St. Albans was especially well adapted for 

 experiment, as to my knowledge from personal observation there had 

 been no presence of mite-galls on the bushes for the whole period 

 which I had known it, namely, since September in the year 1887, and 

 I was very glad to take part in the parallel series of observations. 



Accordingly, on November 1st, 1898, a small consignment of six 

 plants of Black Naples, and six of Baldwin's Black Currants, was 

 forwarded to me from the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm. This 

 dozen of plants had simply been cut down, but nothing else had been 

 done to them ; they arrived in due course, and were immediately 

 planted in my garden in a favourable position for growth. 



Another consignment, also of six plants of Black Naples and six of 

 Baldwin's Black Currants, was sent me two days afterwards. These 

 had likewise been cut down, but had undergone the further treatment 

 of being steeped (both roots and short remaining portions of stems) 

 for two hours in equal volumes of methylated spirit and water. These 

 also were planted promptly ; with the approval of Mr. L. Castle, 

 Manager of the Experimental Fruit Farm, of the localities chosen, 

 and especially of the two consignments of plants being completely 

 isolated. 



Of the twelve plants which had merely been transplanted after 

 being cut down, one plant died; of the twelve which had been subjected 

 to the severe treatment of being steeped for two hours in spirit and 

 water, in addition to being cut down, four died. The remainder made 

 growth naturally, and on examination taken early in November, 1899, 

 a few days over a year from the date of planting, those which had 



