1908.] 



Swedish Red Clover. 



605 



probable that the cause in this case is often mechanical. 

 This form of scab might, for example, be due to the 

 presence of considerable quantities of lime or ashes in the 

 soil and is frequently seen in dry seasons. It is of trifling 

 economic importance, for the eating value of the potato is 

 unimpaired. Other potatoes affected in much the same way 

 were pronounced to be suffering from the attacks of the 

 Millipede, Julus pulchellus (Leaflet 94). The Corky Scab, 

 Spongospora scabies, Massee, described on page 592 of this 

 Journal, was found on many others. The potatoes in this case 

 present a rugged scurfy appearance, which would no doubt 

 render them unsaleable. Several other potatoes were more or 

 less affected by Potato Disease, Phytophthora infestans (Leaflet 

 23), or Winter Rot, Nectria solani (Leaflet 193). Most of these 

 specimens came from the eastern half of England ; very few 

 from the quarter where Warty Disease prevails. An Inspector 

 of the Board has been enquiring into the prevalence of the latter 

 disease, and a report on the subject will eventually be published, 

 but it may be mentioned here that the disease appears at present 

 to be confined to a definite area, which, however, is yearly 

 extending. The chief centres of disease are in the counties of 

 Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire, Stafford and Warwickshire. 



In 1907 a well-known Swedish agriculturist and member 

 of the Swedish Senate, Mr. Knut Akerberg, of Knistad, Igelstorp, 



Sweden, forwarded to the Board of 

 Swedish Red Clover. Agriculture and Fisheries, through the 



Consul-Gen eral for Sweden, a sample of 

 Swedish red clover for the purpose of comparison with varieties 

 grown in this country. Mr. Akerburg stated that Swedish 

 red clover is very hardy, gives a large crop, and lasts for three 

 years. Owing, however, to its late growth the yield of the 

 after growth is not great ; it is a variety which has a great 

 power of resistance against the clover fungus, Sclerotinia 

 trifoliorum, Erik., which is very destructive to other kinds of 

 clover. 



The Board distributed the seed among several of the agri- 

 cultural colleges and they have now received reports on the 

 experimental sowings which were made. 



