NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



281 



usually one, or at most two, in each cell. Infection takes place 

 through the eyes of the tuber. — D. M. C. 



Potato, Wart Disease of. * By G. T. Malthouse (Special Report, 

 Harper Adams College, 1910; figs, and maps). — An investigation into 

 this disease was undertaken by the College authorities at the request 

 and expense of Mr. Belville Stanier, M.P., and the results are here 

 reported. 



The disease which is due to the fungus Synchytrium endobioticum 

 Percival was first found in Shropshire in 1901, and has since spread 

 widely, being now found in many parts of Great Britain. The general 

 appearance of, and damage done by, the disease have already been 

 referred to in these abstracts. Observations convince the author that 

 the disease continues to develop in the winter in the store. An account 

 of the life history of the organism involved is given, and the results 

 of attack upon stem and leaf are described. In no case was a root 

 found to be diseased. Infection begins in May in self -set plants, but 

 usually in July in ordinary cases. In some varieties it is most evident 

 in the first formed tubers, in others only in those formed late in the 

 season. Evidence is brought to show that the disease may be spread 

 in manure from animals fed on raw, warty tubers, by infected seed, 

 and poultry, pigs, &c., trespassing on infected soil. In Shropshire 

 the lighter soils appear to be more liable to outbreaks than the heavier, 

 and the disease is most prevalent in cottage gardens and allotments 

 where there is little opportunity of changing crops. 



In 1909 the varieties ' Snowdrop,' ' Southern Queen,' ' Southern 

 Star,' ' Laird,' ' Peacemaker,' and a seedling ' Snowdrop,'* * Pride of 

 Tonbridge ' when grown in infected soil were free from the disease, 

 while ' Good Hope ' and * Mornmg Star ' were slightly attacked. * Col- 

 leen,' ' Daniel's Special,' ' Cottar,' ' Mayfield Blossom,' and* Warrior ' 

 were badly attacked. In another series 'Conquest,' 'Abundance,' 

 'Golden Wonder,' ' Langworthy, ' and 'What's Wanted' resisted 

 attack. ' Eldorado,' ' Sharpe's Express,' ' May Queen,' ' Ninetyfold, ' 

 '.British Queen,' ' Eoyal Kidney,' 'Edward VII.,' 'Northern Star,' 

 ' Talisman,' and ' Up-to-date ' proved susceptible in varying degrees. 



In 1910 fifty-seven varieties were planted, mostly in duplicate. 

 The early varieties that proved resistant were ' Aberlady Early, ' * 

 ' ' Milecross Early,'* 'Snowdrop,' 'Southern Queen,' and 'Twenty- 

 fold,' second earlies 'Abundance,'* 'Conquest,'* ' Dobbie's 

 Favourite,' and ' Supreme ' ; and among maincrop varieties ' Chiswick 

 Favourite,' ' Crofter,' * ' Discovery,' ' Golden Wonder,' * ' Laird,' 

 ' Langworthy, ' '*Prolific,' 'Provost,'* 'Beading Giant,' 'Eector,' 

 ' Schoolmaster,' ' White City,' 'Peacemaker,' and ' What's Wanted,'* 

 Among the susceptible varieties were ' Colleen,' ' President,' ' Puritan,' 

 ' Sharpe's Victor,' ' Sir John Llewelyn,' ' Eadium,' ' Windsor Castle, ' 

 ' The Bruce, ' ' Satisfaction. ' 

 d Fungicide tests were also carried out in each year, quicklime, 



■ ■ * Varieties marked with an asterisk were the best croppers. 



