656 



Protection Against Fungi from Abroad. 



[Oct., 



world, and as a result the assistance which these workers render, 

 both to the welfare of their own countries and to those of others, 

 is very hopeful. Invitations have been extended to European 

 workers to visit important field conferences in America and an 

 international phytopathological conference in Europe is being 

 planned for 1922. Another hopeful sign is the increased interest 

 given to Disease Surveys, every progressive counti^ now endea- 

 vouring to draw up an accurate and yearly statement of the 

 situation with regard to plant diseases. The Survey reports 

 are invaluable, not only in showing how diseases are controlled 

 in other countries, but in forming a basis for legislative 

 measures. 



In the northern part of the United States many crops are the 

 same as our own and American expei'ience shows us the urgent 

 need of taking precautions against certain virulent diseases 

 present there but absent in Britain. The four following are 

 dealt with in the new Order : — 



1. Chestnut Canker {Endothia parasitica). 



2. Downy Mildew of Hops (Peronoplasmo2)ara humuU). 



3. Pear Blight {Bacillus amylovorus). 



4. Black Knot of Plum and Cherry (Plowrightia morhosa). 

 The two other scheduled diseases. Wart Disease of Potatoes 



[Synchytrium endohloticum) and Onion and Leek Smut (Uro- 

 cystis cepulfE), are in a different category. 



Wart Disease. — Wart Disease is here to our cost, but its 

 distribution is known and the rules that are laid down for the 

 entrance of potatoes from abroad are in accordance with the 

 regulations that are laid down for its control in England, With 

 the exception of new potatoes for immediate consumption it 

 is required that they must be accompanied by a certificate 

 stating that "Wart Disease has not occurred at the place where 

 the potatoes were grown, nor within five hundred yards thereof." 



Onion Smut. — The Smut disease of Onions and Leeks is at 

 present very rare in England and " lodalised at a fev^ centres.'* 

 There is good reason to suppose that at least one of the recent 

 new infections was introduced with foreign seed. At any rate 

 it has been proved that this disease can be carried v/ith the seed 

 and therefore extra care is required. Onion Smut is common in 

 America in many of the onion growing districts and is also* 

 present in Italy and France. The fungus acts as a soil parasite 

 and remains in the soil for many years, attacking each successive 

 sowing of onions or leeks. 



Chestnut Blight. — At present it is possible to say that we 

 have not seen a case of Endothia parasitica in England. Large 



