SUGAR CANE 139 



parasites. They, in turn, are now multiplying" 

 rapidly, and it seems probable that they will succeed 

 in checking the increase of the leaf hoppers. 



In Barbados and some of the other Lesser Antilles 

 much loss has been occasioned by a root rot of the 

 cane caused by a minute parasitic mushroom QMaras- 

 mius saccliari Wakker). What is supposed to be 

 the same disease has also recently been reported 

 from Hawaii. Some of the new seedling varieties 

 of cane seem to have considerable immunity to this 

 disease and their use is recommended for these in- 

 fected regions. 



In Cuba the Marasmius disease has not been 

 detected, but a similar root rot is caused by an 

 undescribed species of Peniophora. This fungus is 

 normally a saprophite that forms mats of white 

 mycelium in the old leaf sheaths near the ground 

 and on the old dead stubble. Under some conditions, 

 however, it invades the living tissues, killing the 

 base of the stalks and the roots. It has not attracted 

 much attention and no remedies have been tried, but 

 it occurs very abundantly and is doubtless one of 

 the principal causes for the dying out of the old cane 

 fields. 



A bacterial top rot of the cane also occurs in 

 Cuba. Whether it is the same as the one that has 

 been studied in Java has not been determined. It 

 involves the soft tissues surrounding the terminal 

 bud, which it soon kills, thus causing the death and 

 drying up of the whole cane. It occurs very com- 

 monly in old fields that are in bad condition. It is 

 known locally as the " drying " of the cane and it 



