112 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP AGRICULTURE. 



to swell, with, a strong solution of sulphate of iron may assist in this 

 work of prevention by destroying the disease germs, and it is quite 

 possible that the remedies advocated for combating the Downy Mil- 

 dew — the copper mixture of Gironde or David's powder— may prove 

 of value in preventing this Black-Rot. _ 



For many years it has been the practice among vineyardists to pro- 

 tect certain varieties of grapes, designed especially for exhibition, 

 from the depredations ot birds and insects by inclosing the young 

 bunches in paper bags. It was observed that grapes thus covered 

 escaped the Black-Rot, when those exposed were entirely destroyed. 

 From this discovery the "paper-bag remedy" soon came to be gen- 

 erally advocated, and to-day we know of no more economical and 

 certain means of preventing the Black-Rot than that of inclosing the 

 half -grown bunches in paper bags. Two-pound brown-paper bags, 

 costing about SI. 25 per 1,000, may be used; these are drawn over the 

 bunches and tied or pinned around the stems. 



Anthracnose. 



Spliaceloma ampelinum, De By. 



(Plate IV.) 



In so far as we have any evidence, this is a comparatively new dis- 

 ease in this country, and one which is likely to seriously affect the 

 grape interests in the Middle and Central States, if not held in check 

 by prompt treatment. It has already become distributed over a wide 

 extent ot territory. Specimens exhibiting this disease were received 

 at the Department the past season from South Carolina, Michigan, 

 Illinois, Delaware, and New Jersey. Prof. T. J. Burrill, of Cham- 

 paign, 111., first observed it in Central Illinois in 1881, and afterwards 

 m many localities in that State; also in Indiana, near Indianapolis; 

 in Michigan, at Lansing; and in Ohio, at Cleveland. All the samples 

 received affected with this disease were of white or light-colored va- 

 rieties. The berries of the Elvira, in one instance, were entirely de- 

 stroyed by it. 



In Europe it has been known for many years, and has received va- 

 rious names, as "Charbon," ''Brenner," "Schwarze Brenner," "Pech," 

 &c. , but that which has come into most general use is ''Anthracnose," 

 derived from the two Greek words, for ''coal" and "disease." 



Anthracnose, like the Black-Rot, is caused by a minute fungus, the 

 habit of which, however, is radically different from the fungus of 

 that disease, as are also the external changes which it induces. All 

 the green parts of the vine are subject to its attacks from the begin- 

 ning of spring vegetation until the close of the growing season, and, 

 when very abundant, the injury occasioned to the young shoots is 

 quite as serious as its action on the fruit. 



EXTERNAL CHARACTERS. 



The external characters of Anthracnose are determined by the 

 growth of a special fungus, as has been demonstrated by inoculations 

 or sowings of the fungus spores upon healthy shoots and berries. 



On the shoots. — There first appear minute brown spots, a little de- 



Sressed in the middle, with a slightly raised dark-colored rim or bor- 

 er. These spots increase in size, elongating in the direction of the 



