lo June, 191 l] Vine Diseases in France. 395 



FUNGUS DISEASES. 



The fungus diseases which attack the vine in France may be divided 

 into several categories. In the first place, we have the two which have 

 long been known to us under the names of Oidium and Black Spot or 

 Anthracnosis. Then there are others, fortunately unknown in Australia, 

 such as Downy Mildew and Black Rot, which are, both as regards the 

 ravages for which they are responsible and the costly sprayings necessary 

 to keep them in check, the most serious obstacles against which the French 

 vine-grower has to contend. Several others of minor importance also 

 de.serve mention, chief amongst which are White Rot, Grey Rot, Fumago. 

 and .several fungi wliich only exceptionally do damage of any consequence. 

 Lastly, we have different forms of Root Rot or Pourridie. 



Lengthy descriptions of each fungus, together with their complete 

 life histories, are not here possible. They can be found in special 

 works dealing with the subject. A brief summary of the lead- 

 ing characteristics of each, and of the best methods of treat- 

 ment, is all that space will permit. As regards the second group, 

 which is by far the more serious one, the evidence so far as the chances of 

 their ever becoming a serious menace to our vineyards is most reassuring. 

 It is not, as might be thought, our isolation which protects us. but our 

 peculiar climatic conditions, and more especially the dryness of our atmo- 

 sphere. Even if introduced into Victoria, thev would be unable to develop. 



That this is not merely a personal opinion, but actual far^. is abun- 

 dantly proved by the parallel case of California. The c-limatic conditions 

 in the greater part of that State are remarkably similar to our own, 

 especially as regards the dryness of the atmosphere. Now. although 

 these fungus diseases are indigenous to the ea.stern States of the Union, 

 where they have existed since pre historic times, thev are quite unknown in 

 California. They have no doulit frequentlv been iiitnuhKcd into that 

 State, as Profes.sor Bioletti pointed out in a recent letter to the writer*, 

 but with one single and not too clearlv proved exception thev have never 

 been seen in that State. The matter has been dealt with at some length 

 in the last Report of the Department of Agriculture (1907-10). 



Tt is unnecessary to repeat the arguments then put forward, but we 

 may rest assured that the diseases which wreak .so much havoc in many 

 parts of France need never be a .source of anxietv to Australian vignerons. 



In order to avoid possible confusion, it is necessarv to ex))1ain the dif- 

 fen-nt uses made of the word mildew in I'raiKe ;ind in .\ineri<-;i. In the 

 former country its u.se (spelt mildiou) is (onliiu'd to the luiigus known 

 in America as Downv Mildew, in opposition fn Powderv Mildew, which is 

 the nnme there usnallv gi\'en to Oidinin. 



OiDHiM (Cndniila spiralis). 



This disease is so well known Id us as to scareeh need ilcscrijition. 

 It is cau.sed by a inieroscopir fungus belonging to the familv of Rrvsiphea 

 and the gnat fungus grou]) of AscomycctiS. 'I'hough first known as 

 Oidimu Tuckcri and later as hrysiphe Tnckcri. these names have now 

 l)een abandoned in favour of the present one of Uiuinula spiralis, given 

 to it on acroimt of the si)iral filaments attached to the peritheoia or wititer 

 fruits r)f the Inngiis. (No. 3 in illustration.) Tiiese bodies, which are 

 just visible to the naked eye, were not ob.served in France prior to iSyj, 

 though they had, long before this, been regularly noted in America. 



• Sfi- l{.'|iiiir i.f the I>f)mi'tiii('iit of Au'i'ii'iiKiin-. N'ii'torin. I""7 !" )> "M 

 I' 2 



