292 



Journal of Agriculture , Victoria. [10 May, 1919. 



and, on accounr of the manner in whicli it attaches itself to the hark, it 

 is also kno^^^l as "ivy fungus." 



When the results of infection hecome apparent, the tree seems as if 

 waterlogged, and, later, the points of the leaders begin to die back, like 

 those of a tree suffering from root borer, but no sucker growths are 

 produced, as in the case of -borer infection. 



The parasite lives on the sap drawn from the roots and, after a 

 time, the fungus fnictifies by producing toadstools on the ends of the 

 strands at the soil level on the .stem of the tree. When considerably 

 weakened by serious infection many trees collapse at this stage. In 

 the experience of the writer, this fungus is more prevalent in, and 

 causes more destruction to trees growing on loose, red 'or chocolate 

 soils and deep sandy loams than elsewhere. 



Plate 196. 

 Virgin Land being Prepared for Planting. 



The fungus on young trees may be destroyed by removing the soil 

 and spraying the roots with Bordeaux mixture 6-4-40, and then replac- 

 ing the soil. It is obvious, however, that in dealing with large trees 

 this method would be ini])ractica(ble. ?^iow it will be conceded that the 

 best means of coping with this parasite is by adojjting the preventive 

 measures previously mentioned. These, it may be again stated, consist 

 of carefully removing the roots when grubbing the land to be planted, 

 and afterwards sweetening it by cultivation until such time as the 

 fungus in the soil has been destroyed. Trees thrive better on virgin 

 soil than on land w'hich has been cropped for a lengthy period, but 

 this parasite rarely attacks trees planted under the latter conditions. 



Plate 196 shows the preliminary operations of grubbing and cul- 

 tivating being carried out. Some planters, after gi-uhbing the larger 

 of the native tinil cr. pldUgli and harrow nan-ow strips in wliicli they 



