TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION K. 487 



Already animal pathology has gained much by botanical discoveries, and ifc 

 behoves tiie botanist to seek in the advances of physiological chemistry, as 

 affecting animal pathology, their significance in relation to plant diseases and 

 immunity. 



(h) The OrqanisatioH of Plujlopatliology. By W. B. Brierley. 



The need is evident for some body which will co-ordinate phytopathological 

 science throughout the British Empire, and it is suggested that this may best be 

 met by the establishment of an Imperial Bureau of Mycology. Attention may be 

 drawn to the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, and the excellent work carried 

 out by that body. The two bureaus would work in intimate correlation, and this 

 would best be achieved were they autonomous sub-divisions of an Imperial 

 Bureau of Phytopathology. 



The principal functions that a bureau of mycology would perform are as 

 follows : — 



I. It would publish a bulletin of mycological research, and an up-to-date and 



complete review of applied mycology. These, together with the corre- 

 sponding entomological publications, would cover the entire field of 

 phytopathology. 



II. It would encourage the collection of specimens and secure their authori- 



tative identification with a reasonable degree of promptitude. 



III. Card indexes would be compiled relating to the various aspects of 

 mycology, such as literature, diseases, parasites, census, &c. 



IV. The bui-eau would apportion grants, and appoint persons to investigate 



problems of special importance. 



V. It would function as a pure culture supply laboratory for the British 



Empire, and work in intimate contact with other similar institutions. 



VI. A complete collection of specimens illustrating plant pathology would 



be formed for reference, loan, and exchange. 



VII. The bureau would work in intimate and reciprocal relationship with 

 the Universities and teaching institutions and be a centre of post- 

 graduate studies. 



VIII. Together with the Entomological Bureau it would organise a biennial 

 or triennial Imperial Congress of Phytopathology for the discussion 

 of problems of international value or general importance throughout 

 the British Empire. 



IX. It would co-ordinate mycology with certain areas of medical science. 



X. Finally it would be a centralising institution for the co-ordination of 



workers in all branches of the science, and as such would tend to 

 further valuable collaboration and to eliminate useless duplication and 

 waste of energy. 

 Such a bureau should be hou.sed in a specially built institution containing 

 large and well-equipped laboratories, with library, mu.seum, and other accom- 

 modation for the performance of its functions ; possess convenient and extensive 

 experimental grounds, and be staffed adequately by experts in the several 

 branches of the science. It should be of University rank and independent 

 status, and absolutely free to express it« own ' j>ersonality ' in its development. 

 It should be supported by grants from the British and Colonial Governments, 

 and be managed by an honorary committee representative of British and 

 Colonial mycology. 



(c) Training in Plant Pathology.^ By J. Eamsbottom, M.A., F.L.S. 



In this country and in our Colonies we liave very few economic mycologists 

 who rank in the first class. It cannot be denied that this is almost entirely 

 due to a lack of proper training. A plant pathologist must know his general 

 botany, hut what seems usually to be forgotten^ is that he should also have a 

 knowledge of soils and their properties, of manures and their effects, and of 



' To be published in full in Trans. British Mycological Soc. for 1916. 



