568 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Sept., 1918. 



tons. The report further stated that in January, 1918, 57 ships of 

 64,759 tons were built. In May, 1918, however, 185 ships, with a 

 tonnage of 194,465 tons, were built. 



The total number of vessels flying the Stars and Stripes in January 

 was 26,742, representing 9,343,224 gross tons of shipping. 



As I mentioned in my last letter to you, Mr. Hoover, the Food 

 Administrator, told me that the Shipping Board intended to build 

 600,000 tons a month by January next. 



Then, as regards men, the eastern cities seem crowded out with 

 men in khaki. The President, Mr, Wilson, at the Metropolitan Opera 

 House, ]!^ew York, said that the army in France would not be fixed 

 at any definite limit, but that he proposed to send as many men across 

 as were necessary to obtain a complete victory over the Hun. It is 

 generally believed that over 2,000s000 Americans will be in the firing 

 line or in France before the end of 1918. 



Yes ! America is tackling the war problems with great vigour and 

 energy. I have noticed a remarkable change come over the community 

 during the last two months. The people and the leaders appear to 

 realize that the world's greatest Democracy is on trial — in the melting 

 pot — and they hope and believe that the test will prove that the metal 

 is free from dross. 



DOWNY MILDEW, Plasmopara viticola. 

 (B. and C), B. and de T. 



By F. de CasteUa, (lovei'nment Viticulturist, and C . G . Brittlehanh , 

 Gorerriinent Pathologist. 



This unwelcome addition to our fungus flora has not unnaturally 

 caused consternation in those districts of north-eastern Victoria where it 

 first made its appearance. The foothold it obtained here during the 

 1916-17 summer permitted an early start for the disease in October, 

 1917. Favoured by quite abnormally wet weather, the fungus developed 

 with an intensity recalling the violent invasions not uncommon in 

 France. The 1918 vintage will long be remembered in north-east Vic- 

 toria as the mildew year, the loss of ci'op being generally estimated at 

 over 90 per cent. 



The Ruther^len Outbreak of 1917=18. 



This altogether disastrous visitation was the result of a combination 

 of circumstances. The mildness of the first outbreak (1916-17), and 

 the quite insignificant damage resulting therefrom, lulled growers into a 

 false sense of security. Warnings given at a lecture at Rutlierglen in 

 February, 1917, when preparations for a spraying campaign in the fol- 

 lowing spring were recommended, were almost entirely unheeded. 



Until the end of October no signs of the fungus were reported. 

 Favoured by the almost continual October rains,* the disease suddenly 

 appeared during the last days of that month. From its first appearance 

 it spread with such rapidity and intensity as to constitute an absolute 

 disaster. Though all growing parts of the vine were more or less 



* The rainfall at. Riitherplen during the 1917 spring was altogether abnormal; 591 points was 

 recorded for October, though the average for the month (nine years) ij only 133 points. During October, 

 1917, rain fell on no less than seventeen days out of the 31. 



