1920.] Wart Disease of Potatoes. 



25 



but where they lay their eggs and what happens to the pest 

 from July until the maggots are found in the following spring 

 are problems which have not been solved. One thing seems 

 clear, and that is that the nature of the crop preceding wheat 

 has a definite influence. \\ Tieat following potatoes, for instance, 

 seems specially liable to attack, and the same is said, though 

 with less evidence, of wheat after bare fallow. Further 

 observations on this subject are very desirable. 



The Planting of Early Potatoes in " Infected" Areas. — The 

 Ministry of Food recently estimated that, at the then rate of 

 consumption, the remaining supplies of 



^Potatoes 86 ° f eatm g potatoes from the 191 9 crop would 

 be exhausted before the new potatoes for 

 the 1920 crop are available. It is anticipated that in consequence 

 there will be a very heavy demand on the latter as soon as they 

 appear on the market, and it is desirable that the acreage 

 planted with first early varieties be increased to the largest 

 extent possible. 



The possibility of such a situation had already been fore- 

 shadowed, and growers in the Eastern and Southern Counties 

 have responded to it in a very laudable manner, large quantities 

 of first early varieties being planted. Growers occupying 

 land within those areas in which wart disease is widespread 

 and common pointed out, however, that their willingness to 

 co-operate was hindered by the marked shortage of stocks of 

 first early immune varieties. 



The Ministry, after careful consideration of this question, 

 decided as a temporary measure to issue general licences 

 authorising the planting in infected areas of own-saved " seed " 

 of any true first early variety and also of those varieties 

 recognised by the Ministry as of the " Eclipse " type, provided 

 that they are planted on land on which wart disease has not 

 occurred, and that they are grown and lifted as first earlies. 

 Potato growers will not require individual licences for such 

 planting. This concession does not extend the list of early 

 varieties allowed to be introduced under licence by bona-fide 

 market growers for planting in infected areas. 



It was reported from many parts of the Midland Counties 

 that, when sprouted and planted early, the second early immune 

 variety " King George " grows quickly and can be marketed 

 practically as early as " Epicure." " Seed " of " King George " 

 was plentiful and its price much lower than that of first earlv 

 varieties. 



