5io 



Insect, Fungus, and other Pests. 



[OCT., 



the fungus will, for some time at least, be known as Spongospora 

 scabies, Mass. 



It is only quite recently that this disease has been recorded 

 as occurring in quantity and proving injurious, and no remedial 

 measures can at present therefore be definitely suggested. It is 

 quite clear, however, that infected tubers should not be planted. 



Rust on Oats. — Specimens of oats from Cross-in-Hand (Sussex) 

 were infested with the rust Puccinia glumarum, Eriks. and 

 Henn. The rust attacks wheat, barley, oats and many wild 

 grasses. No practical remedy is known for any of the cereal 

 rusts. (See article on Rust in Wheat, Journal, July, 1908, p. 241). 



Defective Growth. — Tomatoes from Gravesend were found to 

 bear waxy lumps while the fruit ripened unequally. This con- 

 dition is believed to be due to a lack of potash in the soil. 

 Young cucumbers and tomatoes were found not to set properly, 

 falling off while still young. This falling off is often due to the 

 flowers not having been fertilised. 



Specimens of swedes from Gloucester were found to be of a 

 peculiar growth owing to the main shoot having been arrested 

 or destroyed, and lateral shoots having taken its place. The 

 exact cause of the failure of the main shoot, however, could not 

 be determined. 



Various Specimens. — Pea haulm from Tunbridge Wells was 

 infested with Erisyphe Martii, Link, a fungus allied to, but not 

 identical with, the European gooseberry mildew ; the mildew 

 Podospora leucotricha, Salm., was present on the wood of goose- 

 berry bushes from Evesham, but whether it was the cause of the 

 death of the shoots could not be determined with certainty ; 

 oak leaves were covered with a mildew, probably a species of 

 Microsphaera, which is very abundant this season in many 

 parts of England, but the disease will not necessarily occur again 

 next season (see Journal, September, 1908, p. 440) ; leeks from 

 Westbury (Wilts.) appeared to be injured by a species of 

 Sclerotinia (Leaflet No. 127) ; leaves of a plane tree were 

 suffering from Plane Leaf Scorch, caused by the fungus Gloeo- 

 sporium nervisequum, Sacc, a note on which appeared in this 

 Journal for July, 1907, p. 222 ; corn smut (Leaflet No. 92) is 

 stated to be very troublesome in the neighbourhood of Wen- 

 dover (Bucks.) ; potatoes from Birmingham, Hayes (Kent) 

 and Barnstaple, were attacked by potato disease (Leaflet 



