elxiv Journal of the Astatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XIV, 
that the annual loss caused by this disease cannot be estimated 
at less than Rs. 6,00,000. Based on study of the disease in 
the forest, a theory regarding its cause has recently been put 
forward.! Careful experiments are now being organized which 
in two or three years should either definitely prove or disprove 
this theory, and until the results of these experiments are 
known it is not advisable to attempt a detailed discussion of 
the subject. The theory is briefly this, that spike is a patholo- 
gical condition induced by an unbalanced circulation of sap 
the leaves not sufficient to cause actual wilting or withering, 0 
those which interfere with the translocation of the organic food 
manufactured in the leaves. A low burning fire for instance 
may be very injurious in both directions first by destroymg % 
damaging the superficial roots, and secondly by damaging 
cortex. The net result of such factors is to cause @ 
accumulation of carbohydrates in the leaves, and if this state af = 
affairs is ‘sufficiently prolonged it appears to produce the 
pathological condition known as spike, probably as a result of 
abnormal enzymatic activity. : 
The point I especially wish to emphasize here is this, that 
so far as we can see at present, a careful study of the mmpor™ 
oecological factor, water-supply, appears to offer at least just 4 
good a chance of solving this extremely important economic 
problem as does any other line of research. 1 think the eet 
facts even justify our going a step further in saying that bi 
line of work will possibly supply the key not only to spike ts : 
to several other important diseases which in some reer 
e. 
resemble spik 
9 
Atkins also has recently emphasized the fact that an ~~ a 
tion of carbohydrates like sugar is usually corre ated wit 
i He has also 
pow 
oxidizing enzymes,’ while Bunsel suggests tha dition a 
oxygen absorption indicates 4 se facts 
“fever” in the plant. Do not eh uiry® 
indicate that a profitable line of ing tion 
connection with these diseases lies in the careful inves" a 
Other Physiological 
Diseases, 
! Indian Forester, XLIIT 429, 
2 Recent Researches in Pie Physiology, W-. R. G. 
293-295. 
Atkins, Loo” a 
1916, pp. 290, a 
