1094 



Diseases of the Swede Crop. 



[Mar./ 



Swede crops over the whole of the two counties have been 

 examined and the disease found to be equally severe in all parts, 

 practically no difference in intensity being observed with vary- 

 ing elevations, types of soil and aspects. 



The disease has undoubtedly caused the farmers considerable 

 financial loss, which may probably be estimated at about £2 

 per acre. This estimate is calculated as follows : — (I) The 

 average yield for the counties is regarded as 20 tons per acre, 

 but the very promising crop has only yielded 18 tons per acre. 

 Valuing the swedes at 10s. per ton, the reduction of 2 tons 

 amounts to a loss of £1 per acre. (2) It is the general opinion 

 of farmers that the keeping qualities of swedes attacked by 

 mildew are adversely affected. Maturation is interfered with 

 and owing to the liability of late secondary growths the roots 

 are apt to be soft and unripened. It is possible also that owing 

 to the partial destruction of the foliage by mildew the roots are 

 more liable to crack, and, consequently, an undue proportion 

 would rot in storage. (3) It is believed that the nutritive value 

 of swedes attacked by mildew is reduced. If this were so sheep 

 folded on the crop would derive less benefit from the bulbs 

 and the leaves than from a healthy crop. Precise scien- 

 tific evidence for the headings (2) and (5) is still scanty, but 

 it is reasonable to assume that at least another £1 per acre may 

 be allowed for the two headings. 



With regard to control measures, it is probable that in 

 common with many other mildews the attacks of swede mildew 

 could be reduced by applications of potash fertilisers. At any 

 rate care should be taken that potash is not deficient. 



Club Root, or Finger-and-Toe, in Swedes. — This disease, 

 whilst not nearly so severe in Cumberland and Westmorland as 

 it was in 1920 was, nevertheless, generally present. Almost all 

 crops had traces, in some the disease was very noticeable and 

 in a few it was serious. Very few crops (probably not more 

 than half a dozen) have been observed where no disease was 

 found. 



Most of the arable land in this district is a light sandy loam, 

 usually deficient in lime, and is therefore highly suitable for 

 the development of finger-and-toe. Swedes, moreover, come 

 round in the rotation usually every fifth or sixth year, and it 

 is well known that five years is not a sufficiently long period 

 to starve out the disease. Taking these two factors into con- 

 sideration, it is not surprising that finger-and-toe is the cause 

 of huge losses annually in this district. 



