THE DISEASES OF THE SUGAR-CANE. 313 



habits completely changed, and it burrowed into the 

 youngest enrolled leaves of the cane shoot, causing a con- 

 siderable amount of destruction. The case is remarkable 

 in that beedes of this class do not attack the green tissues 

 of plants.^ 



Sereh is known to have existed in Java for years before 

 it assumed its epidemic character.^ The rind fungus is 

 generally believed, in the West Indies, to have lived sapro- 

 phytically on the cane for years before it acquired strength 

 to attack the living cell ; and the shot-borer probably lived 

 in the decaying stumps of the tropical forest for many years 

 before its food demands drove it to attack the canes. 

 There are, so to speak, a host of lurking enemies ever ready 

 to assume the offensive if by any means the cane becomes 

 weakened. 



16. With these facts before us, we seem to catch a 

 momentary glimpse of a grand flotation of disease pheno- 

 mena. The cane plants are constantly guarding themselves 

 against the parasites attacking them ; and many of the 

 former pests, although present in the fields, have lost 

 their parasitic power. Sapropytic forms as constantly 

 acquire power to pass from the dead tissues and attack 

 the living cells beyond ; while those already feebly parasitic 

 gain in power till they threaten to sweep all before them. 

 From the few surviving canes again arises a more resistant 

 variety, in its turn to fall a prey to new forms of disease — 

 and so the cycle proceeds. 



We may be encouraged if we can adopt this view. The 

 inroads of the present-day pests will, in due course, be 

 checked by natural means, even if the researches of 

 scientific men fail to shield the planters from present ruin. 



It is also encouraging to note that the patient appli- 

 cation of scientific knowledge is producing results in 

 fighting these diseases. While the West Indian planter 

 has been too often content to fold his hands in resignation 

 or despair, the Java cane growers are reaping the benefit 

 of their more enlightened policy. The cane diseases are 



1 Blandford (2) p. 214. '^ May (i). 



