330 Mr. G. Massee. Note on the Disease of Cabbages [Feb. 14, 



the Royal College of Science, for the benefit of his large experience 

 in the cutting -and grinding of minerals. The first model of the 

 instrument is exhibited in the Science Division of the South Ken- 

 sington Museum. 



V. " Note on the Disease of Cabbages and allied Plants known 

 as 'Finger and Toe,' &c." By GEORGE MASSEE, a Principal 

 Assistant, .Royal Gardens, Kew. Communicated by 

 W. T. THISELTON DYER, Esq., F.R.S., Director. Received 

 January 25, 1895. 



The disease known in different parts of Britain as "finger and 

 toe," " clubbing," or " anbury," attacks turnips, rape, cabbages of all 

 varieties, radishes, and, in fact, most cultivated plants belonging to 

 the order Cruci ferae. Several common weeds are also attacked, 

 namely, charlock (Brassica Sinapistrum, Boiss.), garlic-mustard 

 (Sisymbrium Alliaria, Scop.), treacle- mustard (Erysimum Cheiran- 

 thoides, Linn.), and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris, D.C.). 

 The last-named is reported from the United States by Halsted,* and 

 has not been observed to be diseased in Britain, although one of our 

 commonest weeds. The disease is characterised by the formation of 

 numerous nodules on the root, which becomes much distorted and 

 soon decays, forming a slimy, foetid mass. 



Berkeleyf appears to have been the first to investigate the disease 

 from a scientific standpoint, and although he did not succeed in deter- 

 mining the true cause, distinctly states that microscopic examination 

 revealed the presence of a factor previously unknown in connection 

 with plant diseases. Furthermore, Berkeley pointed out that wood 

 ashes were a cure for the disease, and supposed this to be due to the 

 presence of potash salts in the ash. 



Owing to the serious amount of damage caused by " finger and 

 toe " to the cabbage crop in Russia, the Government of that country 

 offered a reward for the discovery of the cause of the disease. 

 "WoroninJ undertook the investigation, and after years of patient 

 study published an elaborate account, proving clearly that the 

 disease was caused by a minute organism related to the fungi, to 

 which he gave the name Plasmodiophora brassicce. 



In 1859, Yoelcker pointed out that the disease was influenced by 

 the amount of lime present in the soil. Where little or no lime 

 existed, as in light and sandy soils, the disease abounded, whereas in 



* New Jersey Agric. Coll. Expt. Station; Bull. 98 (1893). 



f ' Oard. Chron.,' p. 500, 1856. 



J ' Pringsheim's Jahrb.,' vol. 11, p. 548, tabs, xxk xxxiv (1878). 



' Roj. Agric. Soc. Journ.,' vol. 20, p. 101 (1859). 



