1908.] Insect, Fungus and other Pests. 



203 



a necessary mark in the determination of the species of Collem- 

 bola. They belonged, however, to .the genus Tomocems, a 

 genus which contains a species known to be injurious to plants, 

 and causing a yellowing of the leaves. To damage crops of 

 oats or mangolds they would need to be present in great 

 numbers. (See also Journal, December, 1907, p. 557.) 



Mites. — Bulbs from March, Isle of Ely, were found to be 

 infested with bulb mites, which 'appear to be doing much 

 damage in that district. The bulb_mite is dealt with in 

 Leaflet No. 136. Black currant specimens from Andover 

 were attacked by the black currant mite (Leaflet No. 1). 



Eelworms. — Sweet peas from York were infested by eelworms, 

 which are dealt with in Leaflet No. 46. Sulphate of potash 

 at the rate of 4 cwt. per acre (about J oz. per dozen 5-in. pots) 

 has been experimentally found to destroy|eel worms. 



Fungi.- — Specimens of imported gooseberries from Birming- 

 ham market were forwarded to the Board on suspicion that 

 they were infected with American gooseberry mildew. They 

 proved, however, to be covered merely with the saprophytic 

 fungi (Penicillium, Mucor, &c), met with on all bruised fruit. 



Anemones from Penryn were attacked by the Rust Aecidium 

 punctatum, Pers. The fungus is perennial, the mycelium 

 remaining in the root-stock and infecting the new leaves each 

 season. The most satisfactory course to pursue is to remove 

 and burn all affected plants, as these rarely, if ever, produce 

 flowers. 



Specimens of peach from Ilminster were affected with 

 Exoascus deformans, Fcki. (Leaflet No. 120) ; apple branches 

 from near Worcester were injured by an incipient stage of 

 apple tree canker (Leaflet No. 56), little fruit being formed on 

 the diseased patches, Specimens of apple trees attacked by 

 apple scab (Leaflet No. 131) were received from Chichester and 

 Oakham. 



The roots of young peas from Chertsey were attacked by the 

 fungus Thielavia basicola, Zopf. This disease spreads very 

 rapidly under favourable weather conditions, and is very 

 difficult to arrest when seedlings are attacked. Watering with 

 a solution of sulphate of potash tends to check the spread of 

 the mycelium in the soil, while a sprinkling of soot is also of 

 service. 



