SUGAR-CANE 91 



very abundant it gradually smothers and kills these 

 young shoots, gains strength and vigour, and spreads 

 to other young shoots. Eventually it gives rise to 

 more or less spherical or egg-shaped sporophores or 

 fruiting structures. The period of growth for this 

 mycelium is comparatively long, requiring from one 

 to two and a half years. However, when this mass 

 of mycelium has reached its maturity, the formation 



FIG. 41. Mature specimen of Ithyphallus. (After Cobb, Bui. 5, Hawaiian Sugar 

 Planters' Agricultural Experiment Station. ) 



of the sporophores requires only three or four hours. 

 The sporophores rapidly increase in size, and break 

 through the ground during the early hours of the 

 morning. When matured they are 4 or 5 centimeters 

 in height, and about 1 centimeter in diameter. The 

 spores are carried by means of the wind, Mies, and other 

 insects. The members of the group to which this species 

 belongs are commonly called stinkhorns, because of 

 their offensive odour and their peculiar shape. 



Remedy. Mr. Cobb has suggested the use of lime, 

 at the rate of 1^- tons per acre, as the most satisfactory 

 remedy. The rubbish should first be burned from the 



