On the Increase of Cryptogamous Plants. 439 



importance, and well worthy the careful consideration of every 

 intelligent cultivator. It is certainly true that there has been 

 a remarkable increase of the fungus tribe, whose attacks upon 

 various families of plants have been destructive to a remarkable 

 degree. To what cause their increase can be ascribed, we 

 are at a loss to imagine ; and we hope that the subject will re- 

 ceive more attention at the hands of practical men, and be the es- 

 pecial subject of inquiry among physiologists and scientific men. 

 It is but a few days since that we noticed, in the Garden- 

 ers' Chronicle of a late date, that the grape crop throughout 

 England had been suddenly attacked by a species of fungi, 

 "committing unexampled ravages in the vineries." This 

 disease, if so it may be called, has long been known in our 

 climate, and our gardeners know how to guard against it so 

 well, that its effects are but little noticed. But, in England, 

 it has been entirely unknown until within a year or two, and, 

 this season, it has spread so rapidly that, in the vicinity of 

 London, "Mr. Wilmot's vines have been mildewed to such 

 an extent that, in twelve houses, he has not a single bunch 

 sound ; his loss is estimated at 600 lbs. weight ; the out-door 

 grapes are also extensively attacked." " In the form of a 

 white powder, it seizes upon the leaves, thence spreads to 

 the young grapes, and, in the course of a few weeks, so over- 

 runs the plants as to give them the appearance of having been 

 powdered with lime or flour. During this year, it has been 

 worse than ever. Some vineries at Clapham, belonging to Mr. 

 Allnutt, have been thus attacked ; and it is stated that, of 

 nineteen within the space of four miles, thirteen have been 

 attacked and lost their crops." 



Dr. Lindley closes his notice of this mildew with the fol- 

 lowing remarks : — " The extraordinary frequency of such 

 attacks as these, and the many kinds of plants which are 

 now seriously affected every year, as men believe beyond all 

 former experience, must force attention to the cause of their 

 appearance. For, unless that can be obtained, all remedies 

 must be ineffectual. We should be glad of communications 

 on this truly national question. Among other points v/hich 

 deserve attention, we may mention this : firstly, is it true 

 that mildeiDS are more common and more destructive than for- 

 merly ; and secondly, if so, is there any connexion between 

 their progress and that of high cidtivation?'' 



