PLANT DISEASES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15921, 6 May 1912, Page 8

PLANT DISEASES.

The International Institute of Agriculture drew attention in 1909 to the importance of disseminating information as to the methods of combating plant diseases and the desirability ot effective control of plant diseases on the part of the various Governments adhering to tho Institute. The adhering countries were also asked by the Institute to consider tho possibility of establishing a service for the control of plant diseases or of developing thenexisting service. ,■,.',".. • A Bureau of Agricultural Intelligence and Plant Diseases has been formed at the Institute, and as a preliminary measure a monograph has been published giving an account of the actual organisations existing in different countries for tho control of plant diseases. The Bureau also commenced the publication in November, 1910, of a monthly bulletin containing summaries of articles in agricultural periodicals and in the publications of laboratories and experimental stations having reference to_plant diseases. The Institute recognised, however, that, in addition to this passive side of its work in connection with plant diseases, it had an activo duty to perform by bringing about 'international arrangements whereby the combating of plant diseases could be more effectively carried on. Proposals were made at the General Assembly of tho Institute in December, 1.909, by which Statecontrolled experimental stations in the different countries should conduct research work according to n given plan. Advice was asked of experts in Italy. France, Germany, and tho United Kingdom, and great divergence of opinion was found to exist as to the general utility of the proposal. Tt was therefore proposed at the last General Assembly of the Institute in May, 1911, that a programme of work as to plant diseases in which the co-operation of the different countries is desirable should be drawn ud bv an international commission formed of members chosen by the adhering States. It was suggested in the first place that a report Fhould be prepared drawing the attention of the different Governments to the necessity for the formation of an international commission of vegetable pathology. The committee further recommended that the General Assembly should ask the adhering Governments to invite their stations of vegetable pathology to communicate to the Institute without delny the results of their .work and investigations, above all of -those dealing with tho efficacy of remedies for plant diseases, with a view to ther publication in tho monthly bulletin of the Institute.