REPORT OF THE SOCIETY 95 



only with difficulty that we were able to find 3,000 infected tubers for ex- 

 perimental purposes. This change for the better may have been brought 

 about by a difference in climatic conditions, but visits to farmers whose 

 crop previously had considerable quantities of the disease, indicate that many 

 got rid of it by securing healthy seed, soaking it in Formalin (1 pint in 30 

 gallons of water) for IJ^ to 2 hours, as a precautionary measure, and then 

 planting on clean land, or land which had not grown potatoes for a number 

 of years. This would not likely have taken place except that their attention 

 was called to it by the rigid inspection system which was instituted. If 

 this be true, the results have already justified the strict regulations which 

 were in force during 1914 and 1915. 



Certain experiments and observations indicate that this disease occurs 

 generally on certain types of soil and not on others. Certain other obser- 

 vations show that the disease is not likely to occur except in certain local- 

 ities and never seriously in the more southern sections. Just what the con- 

 ditions are under which it occurs, are not definitely known and considerable 

 careful research will be required to clear up this question. 



The laboratory was established for the purpose of conducting the work 

 of the Botanical Division in the province of New Brunswick, in conjunction 

 with the Dominion Experimental Station at Fredericton. The work to be 

 undertaken naturally falls under two headings: Research and Agricultural 

 Extension. The main object will be to conduct research on diseases of 

 agricultural crops and other botanical problems pertinent to the advance- 

 ment of agricultural science, particularly in Quebec and New Brunswick. 



The officers spend much of their time assisting the farmers in controlling 

 and eliminating diseases which are injurious to their crops. This is ac- 

 complished by conducting illustration experiments and demonstrations in 

 various sections of the province and by giving addresses before the various 

 conventions and conferences which are frequently held. 



The importance of this step is apparent in view of the great losses 

 which are annually caused by disease. In some cases, as much as 50% of 

 the possible potato crop is destroyed. A field survey conducted during 

 1916 on 100 farms in the larger potato growing sections, showed that the 

 average loss caused by four common diseases amounted to approximately 

 47% of the total possible crop, or about 5,640,000 bushels, valued at 

 $4,230,000 These diseases and the ensuing losses were : 



Black-Leg, 7% or 840,000 bushels, valued at. sS630,000 



Rhizoctonia (little potato disease) 5% or 600,000 bushels, valued at • 8450,000 



Mosaic, 10% or 1,200,000 bushels valued at 8900,000 



Late Blight, 25%^, or 3,000,000 bushels, valued at $2,250,000 



