828 



Bpring-Taii-s Attacking Mangolds. 



[Dec, 



usually be obtained from English seed. Care should be taken to 

 observe that the country of origin is stated when buying clovers 

 and grasses, as is required by the Seeds Act. In short, to 

 obtain the best chance of a good crop, three factors bearing on 

 the seed used must be borne in mind : — 



(1) Experiments made by the farmer himself, or by others, 

 must be studied to determine the most suitable variety. 



(2) Only seedsmen on whom one can rely should be dealt 

 with. 



(3) The analysis required by the Seeds Act should be read 

 and the information it gives should be used. 



Farmers might usefully have seeds tested at the Official Seed 

 Testing Station, before sowing. Particulars as to size of sample, 

 \\here to send it and fees for testing, may be obtained from the 

 Chief Officer, Official Seed Testing Station, Huntingdon Koad, 

 Cambridge. Full details of the Seeds Act may be obtained by 

 purchasing the Seeds Act, 1920, and the Seeds Eegulations, 

 1922, price Bd. each, from any newsagent. Special facilities are 

 provided for the testing of seeds for farmers when the analysis 

 is required solely for the farmers' own information, and not in 

 connection with a sale of seeds. The fee charged in this case 

 is the nominal one of 6d. per sample. 



* * * ^ * * 



SPRING-TAILS ATTACKING 

 MANGOLDS. 



From the Ministry's Pathological Laboratory , 

 Harpenden, Herts. 



Amongst the various types o£ diseased and damaged mangolds 

 submitted during the current season to the Ministry's Patho- 

 logical Laboratory for diagnosis, there was one affecting seedling 

 plants that calls for special mention, as, though not uncommon 

 in previous years, it has not been certainly attributed to any 

 definite cause. 



The injury to the young plant would give the impression that 

 the root had been constricted at the soil level, just below the 

 crown, the crown itself and the remaining root below ground 

 being of more or less normal development. This apparent con- 

 striction frequently increases in intensity until the affected 

 portion becomes threadhke, and in the process of singling or 



