128 
STRAWBERRY. 
f 
The following observations refer to peculiar malformations of 
growth, caused by Eelworm presence, so affecting the stems and 
inflorescence of the Strawberry plant as quite to change the 
characteristic appearance of the growing portions of the plant, when 
it should be running on into flower, and ruining it for all useful purposes. 
From the buds (or the various portions which should have formed 
the buds and flowering stems) being so greatly swelled at the ex¬ 
tremities, and also so shortened and pressed together as to resemble 
nothing so much as pieces of Cauliflower placed amongst the deformed 
stems, it has seemed convenient to give the name of the “ Cauliflower 
disease” to this form of Strawberry attack, in the same way that “ Tulip - 
root,” “ Pine Apple disease,” or other names describing the shape of 
diseased growth, are given to the malformations caused by the presence 
of the minute nematoid worms, popularly known as Eelworms, in Oat 
plants, Carnations, and other garden or crop plants. 
The first observations of this very peculiar attack which I received, 
were sent me by Mr. Thos. May, of St. Paul’s Cray, Kent, on the 23rd 
of May, and were as follows :—“ I have forwarded you to-day a hat- 
box containing specimens of Strawberry plants from a field of 14 acres ; 
nearly half the plants have gone like these specimens. Will you please 
say whether caused by an insect or grub injuring the crown just above 
the roots ” .... “Whether there is a remedy or prevention, and 
whether the plants will recover, as some seem likely to do, for another 
year ? ” 
These plants were greatly deformed, and I found Eelworms therein. 
On the 28th of May a further supply of diseased Strawberry plants 
were sent me, in which I found Eelworms in exceedingly active con¬ 
dition, numerously present where I examined, and (together with the 
specimens) I received from Mr. Thos. May some further observations 
as to loss being serious, and likewise as to previous succession of crops, 
as follows :—“ I trust you will be able to ascertain the cause, as it will 
be a serious loss to me this year in the 14-acre field. Now, in reply to 
your questions, the field lias been cropped as follows:— 
“ CROP. 
1881 to 1884. Strawberries - - - 
1885. Potatoes. 
1886. Wheat. 
1887. Clover, very heavy crop - - 
1888. Potatoes. 
j Planted Strawberries and \ 
1889. j plants, all started well l 
’ and did well. j 
( Strawberries with large\ 
quantity of deformed l 
plants. J 
MANURE. 
Heavily manured with London straw dung, 
and some kainite suppl. ammonia, super- 
„ phosphate, sown with Potatoes. 
(Heavily manured (again as before) in winter 
( of 1887-8. 
1889-90. Manured Strawberries in November 
and December, and dug in peat Moss and 
) sawdust horse manure from London, 
j having laid in lumps from August.” 
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