Annual Report for 1913 of the Botanist. 
375 
with the u seed ” further propagation from a diseased crop is 
evidently an unwise proceeding. 
In one parcel of tubers sent from the West of England the 
skins were so covered with rough corky masses that at first 
sight one suspected the presence of the corky scab fungus 
Spongospora scabies. A detailed examination failed to support 
this view. The abnormally roughened coats pointed either to 
the presence of gritty matter, such as coal ash, in the soil or 
the use of large quantities of kainit in a mixture of artificial 
manures. Enquiries showed that the soil of the field was 
largely composed of rubbish from a brickyard which in all 
probability was responsible for the symptoms. 
Mangolds . — The only diseases reported on were the common 
rust, Uromyces betae and the mould Peronospora schachtii. 
The latter is not often met with in quantity in this country and 
it is problematical whether it causes any serious loss. 
Swedes . — Mildew and finger and toe were each received for 
examination once. 
Glovers . — Several enquiries were made with regard to 
“ clover-sickness ” not only in red clover but also in lucerne 
and sainfoin. The disease is undoubtedly very prevalent at 
present. The advice given was to alter the rotation in such a 
manner that clovers would not follow clovers more often than 
once in six years. Under such circumstances the resting bodieg 
of the fungus responsible for the disease should lose their 
vitality, with the result that no further infection should occur 
from the soil. Where this course offered special difficulties 
experimental dressings of lime applied immediately after the 
harvesting of the covering cereal crop were recommended. It 
is hoped that the results of these trials will be reported next 
season. 
Wheat . — The one really serious disease brought to my 
notice was an attack of bunt ( Tilletia tritici ), which was so 
severe that the complete destruction of the standing crop had 
to be recommended. There is no excuse for any serious loss 
from the attacks of this parasite nowadays, for either the 
well-known blue-vitriol steep or Jensen’s hot water treatment 
of the seed can be relied upon as particularly effective 
preventive measures. 
One of these methods should always be employed before 
wheat is sown even if one is certain that the standing crop 
from which seed was saved was free from infected plants. 
The precaution is necessary, for travelling threshing machines 
are often contaminated with the spores of the bunt fungus. 
Barley . — A single case of u blindness ” was dealt with, and 
measures suggested for controlling it in subsequent seasons. 
