152 TUKNIP AND CABBAGE-EOOT ATTACKS. 



Finger-and-Toe-like divisions. Besides the alterations to the general 

 form of the root, the outer skin, or outside of the infested parts, also 

 changes in appearance, and even in a single specimen may show 

 various conditions, which will be seen on examination of the figures, 

 with the help of a moderately strong magnifying-glass. 



Besides the large swelled protuberances there will be roughnesses 

 of surface, deep cracks, or burstings open, and patches or spots, even 

 where the skin remains, and in a more advanced state (as shown in 

 the Plate more especially figured as Anbury) the diseased masses in 

 their enlargement may be found to have burst forward from under the 

 skin leaving this forming a hard curving back border over the tumour, 

 the next step to the perishing condition in which all structural dis- 

 tinctions of surface are lost in putrid and loathsomely offensive decay. 



Within the affected roots the progress of the disease (that is to say, 

 the gradual spread in the tissues of the presence of the "Slime Fun- 

 gus ") may be traced even in a comparatively early stage by such a 

 marked alteration, both in texture and colour, that I have found it 

 quite possible by my own process of modelling from life to give a pre- 

 cise facsimile copy of the altered condition. Gradually, as the Plasmo- 

 diophora infestation advances, the attacked parts will be distinguishable 

 by the yellow slimy appearance, and a much enlarged or distended 

 state of the cells of the infested part, until this increases to the general 

 destruction of the root, ending in the putrescence which sets free the 

 spores by millions on millions in autumn, to lie in their resting state 

 ready to germinate next year (as shown at p. 150) and infest whatever 

 suitable cultivated crop or wild plant may be at hand. 



Turnips and Cabbage of different kinds are the crops in which the 

 infestation are most observed ; but Charlock is a great means of 

 supplying the Slime Fungus with suitable food during the years (when 

 in ordinary rotation of crop) the pest might be dying out, and others 

 of the Crucifera (or allied plants of the Cabbage nature) are liable to 

 attack. 



This attack has long been known as one both very prevalent, and 

 causing much loss, but of late years, and especially during last 

 season, much enquiry has been sent, and from some of these notes I 

 give a few observations. 



The following communications sent me by Mr. G. G. Blantern, 

 from Balderton Hall, Myddle, near Shrewsbury, refer to the attack, 

 from specimens of which the figures on the accompanying Plates 

 showing the conditions commonly known as Anbury, Finger-and-Toe, 

 and Club, were afterwards, at my request, forwarded to me in order 

 that we might have thoroughly characteristic representations. 



On Oct. 6th, Mr. Blantern first wrote to me on the subject, men- 

 tioning : — " I send you by parcel post a Turnip and a Cabbage plant, 



