486 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION K. 



manurial treatment, though much discussed, remain in a state not altogether 

 satisf actor}', and there is room ior a more scientific basis of experiments. 



Nitrogen may be cited as one of the most important of the food elements 

 which are liable to abuse. Much has been written about the supply of combined 

 nitrogen, but the harmful effect of excessive nitrogen has not received the 

 attention it deserves. Numerous cases can be indicated in which plants are 

 rendered specially susceptible to fungoid diseases through the improper use of 

 this element. 



The chemical effects of lime upon the soil have received great attention, but 

 its action in neutralising soil-acidity is not sufficiently recognised. This is a 

 most important factor in certain diseases, and it has been shown that alkalinity 

 of the soil secured immunity of the host from attacks of Plasmodiophora, and 

 that the soil calcium has not necessarily any relation to the disease. How far 

 soil acidity or alkalinity are factors in other plant diseases is another point 

 awaiting elucidation. 



It is a matter for further research to determine how far such processes as 

 transpiration, respiration, &c., may be modified by manurial treatment, and 

 within what limits it may so alter the constituents of the cell-sap as to be 

 usefully employed as a prophylactic treatment. 



Great strides have been made in recent years towards a recognition of the 

 needs of economic mycology, which have naturally shown how much more 

 remains to be accomplished. The Destructive Insects and Pests Act has been 

 put in operation by the Board of Aigriculture as a necessary means of coping 

 with the devastating spread of certain diseases in this country. The provision 

 made for economic mycology under the Board of Technical Instruction for 

 Ireland has been productive of great results. In some districts in England 

 centres for pathological research are already established, but to cope with the 

 manifold questions which present themselves many more investigators are wanted. 



The establishment of the Phytopathological Laboratory at Kew, in touch 

 with mycologists in all parts of the p]mpire, is another forward step which 

 cannot fail to be of the utmost importance to our Colonies and at home. But 

 more is required. Phytopathological Laboratories should be set up in various 

 centres of Great Britain, these being linked up with the main central establish- 

 ment at Kew. The variations of our soil and climate demand that stations 

 should be distributed according to special local requirements ; each district 

 creates its own problems. Each station should be superintended by a thoroughly 

 qualified botanist whose equipment should be such as to enable him to deal with 

 the important pathological problems involving a knowledge of bio-chemistry and 

 bio-physics. 



The foundation of a central laboratory for the cultivation and distribution of 

 pure cultures of fungi and bacteria would also be a development of great value 

 to the nation. Dr. Krai's laboratory fulfilled a very important function in the 

 distribution of organisms in pure culture of pathogenic and non-pathogenic 

 bacteria and certain fungi ; and now that this supply is no longer available we 

 find ourselves in a position similar to that created by the lack of aniline dyes, 

 optical glass, &c. The establishment was strongly advocated of a National 

 Institution for pure cultures which would be comparable to the National 

 Physical Laboratory, from which type specimens could always be procured and 

 critical determinations assured, and which would be of sufficiently wide scope 

 to serve the needs of the medical bacteriologist, the plant pathologist, the 

 agriculturist, brewer, tanner, &c. 



At the present time there is no catalogue of British fungi similar to the 

 London catalogue of flowering plants, but through the assiduity of Mr. J. 

 Ramsbottom a list of the Uredinales, Discomycetes, and Phycomycetes has 

 now been published by the British Mycological Society. 



Great value is attached to research in plant hygiene. A distinction must 

 be drawn between mycology and plant pathology. The mere working out of 

 life-histories is only the preliminary step, behind this lies a whole series of 

 researches in chemical physiology and pathology which may throw light upon 

 problems connected with both the animal and the plant. It may not be 

 unreasonable to suppose that the plant may possess bodies analogous to the 

 protective anti-bodies of the animal so well known in medical bacteriology. 



