‘2 
CLOVER. 
known as “ Clover-sickness.” There are many kinds of Eelworms, 
some of which live in earth or decayed matter, or are found outside 
young corn plants beneath the sheathing-leaves; but the Tylenchus 
under consideration attacks and lives by suction on the growing plant, 
and causes decay and death in some cases, and in some its presence is 
shown by a bulbous or deformed growth of the base of the corn plant, 
or the shoots attacked. 
As it is totally impossible for any one to offer a trustworthy opinion 
as to the kind of Eelworm present, excepting those who have devoted 
especial attention to the study of the Nematoid worms, I examined 
as well as I could myself, but also I forwarded specimens to the 
Netherlands to the skilled examination of Dr. J. G. de Man, of 
Middleburg, and Dr. J. Ritzema Bos, Professor of Zoology at the 
Royal Agricultural College, Wageningen, well known for their special 
attention to this class of pests, and publications thereon; and I 
acknowledge with many thanks not only the courteous help they have 
given me by examination of many consignments of specimens, but 
also the permission to publish, in my own Report, their valuable 
information. 
My first observations on “ Clover-sickness ” were taken about the 
end of March, when I received specimens of Clover-sick plants from 
Mr. Manfred Biddell, of Playford, near Ipswich, with the remark that 
he had very little of the disease this year. On examination of these 
plants Dr. Ritzema Bos informed me that he found Tylenchi in the 
short yellowish stems, and certainly eggs, larvse, and full-grown 
males, but not full-grown females ; but from inspection of the males 
it was clear, and without doubt, that they were Tylenchus devastatrix , 
and that all appearances showed the cause of “ Clover-sickness ” to be 
due to the same kind of Tylenchus as that which causes “ Tulip-root” in 
Oats. Other Eelworms were present in the diseased Clover, but 
these Dr. R. Bos found only in the brown withering parts, and 
considered that “these so-called Humus-Anguillulce were certainly not 
the cause of the ‘ Clover-sickness.’” 
On April 22nd Mr. Biddell sent me a further supply of Clover 
plants for inspection, with the note that “ there are in this neigh¬ 
bourhood fewer so affected than usual. The plants first affected are 
now quite withered away, and will not hold together, but some are 
sent in all stages that could be found.” 
Of these Dr. R. Bos reported that he could not find a single 
Tylenchus therein, but found the mycelium of a fungus. Of this 
fungus Dr. Bos gave some details and observations, but, this being 
outside my own department, I do not enter on the subject here. 
On April 12tli Miss M. Curtis Hayward, writing from the Manor 
Farm, Quedgley, near Gloucester, mentioned that “a piece of Clover 
