134 TOMATO. 



central tree was ' knotty-rooted,' and died in a few months ; next year 

 the roots of the nearest trees, 15 feet away, became knotty nearest the 

 dead tree, and in four years the disease extended to the tips of the 

 roots of all the Fig and Peach trees in a circle 120 feet distant each 

 way from the original infested tree." — (J. C. N.) 



The point of even temporary presence of infested plants starting 

 presence of the pest is illustrated by a case where, in a nursery free 

 from disease, some Peach trees with "knotted " roots brought from a 

 distance were "heeled" in for a week, the disease spread in all 

 directions from this nucleus. 



From his various records of observation Dr. Neal gives the summary 

 that the disease can be easily introduced into areas not infested, " (1), 

 by planting infested trees ; (2), by the use of composts of muck and 

 weeds from infested soils ; (3), by the distributive action of water and 

 air, the water carrying particles of soil and worms downward from an 

 infested elevation, or by dry soil, fragments of dry roots" ; . . . and he 

 also notes, " (4) soil containing these worms, I have no doubt, has been 

 carried on the feet of men and animals, and deposited in healthy 

 fields, forming the nucleus of a destructive agency, months afterwards 

 made visible by its effects." — (J. C. N.) 



To the above notes, taken from Dr. Neal's very useful observations, 

 should probably be added, in regard to the last item as to methods of 

 transportation, — carriage in soil adhering to agricultural or garden 

 implements, as ploughs, spades, forks, or trowels, or on wheels of carts 

 or wheelbarrows. Also (most especially) care should be given in 

 infested nurseries, or rather fin our country) in hothouses, or in 

 growing of crops, such as Cucumbers, Melons, or Tomatoes under 

 glass, that all earth in pots, or boxes, where infested plants have 

 grown should be burnt, and the pots, or boxes, well scalded. If the 

 earth, or the galled roots, are merely thrown to the rubbish heap, there 

 is no limit to the mischief that may be done ; even by the carriage of 

 the wormlets about the place on the feet or feathers of birds, cats, dogs, or 

 other creatures. 



In the excessively bad attack (in which the losses may be reckoned 

 by tons), of which the appearance here is the reason for drawing atten- 

 tion forcibly to what might be a most severe trouble, we do not yet know 

 with certainty from whence it came, but evidence points towards it 

 having been imported several years ago from Germany. This H. 

 radicicola is a European as well as an American pest, and amongst 

 plants infested by it is Draccmia rosea. In our case Draccpnas were 

 noticed as unaccountably failing, so much so that the cultivation of 

 them was given up, and this trouble was followed (about four years 

 ago) by attack on the Cucumbers and Tomatoes, gradually increasing 



