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International Potato Conference. 



[Jan., 



Papers on Wart Disease read on the second day really 

 focussed on the use of immune varieties for soils infected with 

 the disease as the best solution of the problem for the present. 

 Two readers expressed doubts as to the stability of the immune 

 varieties, and Dr. Brier ley in particular held to the possibility 

 of immune varieties breaking down, and appealed for more 

 research on the problem of soil sterilisation. 



The delegates on the third day dealt with the " virus 

 diseases " such as " Mosaic," " Leaf Curl " and " Crinkle," 

 on which subjects Dr. Quanjer (Holland) gave a most interest- 

 ing and instructive paper. Mr. Murphy (Ireland) gave, in a 

 thoughtful address, an account of the work which he carried 

 out on these diseases in Canada; whilst Mr. A. D. Cotton 

 (England) reviewed the position in so far as Great Britain was 

 concerned. 



Judging from the papers there can be little doubt that the 

 disease reduces the yield of the crop very materially, and that 

 the productiveness of those varieties peculiarly susceptible to 

 these diseases is impaired in a few years. It would also appear 

 that improvements in the crops -of most countries would be 

 secured under some system by which tubers from healthy crops 

 were only retained for planting. 



Those interested in these matters should obtain a copy of 

 the Eeport of the International Potato Conference which the 

 Royal Horticultural Society has arranged to publish. ATI the 

 papers read at the Conference, as well as the Presidential Address 

 by Sir Daniel Hall who was unavoidably absent from England 

 during the progress of the Conference, will be included in the 

 report. Copies will be obtainable shortly from the Secretary, 

 Royal Horticultural Society, Vincent Square, Westminster, 

 J.ondon, S.W.I. Price 3s. 4d. post free. 



