ORANGES IN WESTERN ANDALUSIA. 567 



however, deserves special rueatioQ, as it proved extremely destructive 

 in the Spanish provinces of Valencia and Castellon (in 1867-'69), and is 

 believed to be identical witii the parasite that destroyed nearly half the 

 orange trees on the Hyferes Islands in 1849-'51. This parasite is now 

 known as the Sphcerium Wolffensteiniani, in honor of a distinguished 

 mycologist who published an exhaustive monograph on the subject in 

 1878. At the time of the first appearance of this parasite— or orange 

 disease, as it was then called— in the Peninsula, the Spanish Govern- 

 ment appointed a commission to investigate the disorder. The recom- 

 mendations embodied in the report of said commission were, in the 

 main, similar to those mentioned above. The roots are to be uncovered, 

 all the attacked parts removed and buried ; copious irrigation is to be 

 avoided, as also the use of all manure not thoroughly rotted, and 

 especially its application close to the roots. If the soil is humid — and 

 this seems a strongly predisposing cause — thorough draining is neces- 

 sary. As efficacious remedies are mentioned tar, soot, and protosulphate 

 of iron, which act as antiseptics; also, powdered lime and sulphate of 

 copper. Otto Wolffenstein, the mycologist above referred to, gives it 

 as his opinion that the most eflcient curative agent is a solution of 

 hydrated sulphuric acid, which, according to said writer, unites the 

 following desiderata : First, it kills all the spores ; second, it penetrates 

 the soil to a sufficient depth without oxidizing; and third, it does no 

 injury whatever to the roots. Ten liters of the solution is stated to be 

 sufficient for a tree of a fair size ; the solution to be ai^plied in the month 

 of November, as this is the time when the spores are most easily 

 stamped out. 



There does not appear to be any consensus of opinion as to the greater 

 or lesser liability of the different varieties to the attacks of these para- 

 sitic pests, nor does such consensus exist upon the comparative resist- 

 ance of seedlings and the grafted or budded trees. It is, however, 

 conclusively established that low ground, lack of proper drainage, 

 and insufficient cultivation are the most favorable conditions for the 

 development of the fungous parasites of this class. 



The most widely spread and probably also the most damaging para- 

 site of this class is the Demai/wMm monophyllum, heiieved to belong to 

 the genus Torula (Person), and commonly called tizne [Anglice, smut) in 

 Spain. It looks somewhat like black dust or soot, extending in parallel 

 lines and forming a thin crust or coating over the stems and branches. 

 Prom this crust soon arise an incalculable number of minute pedicles, 

 each one bearing its black sporangium filled with seed-spores. The re- 

 production of this parasite is incredibly rapid and vigorous, but fortu- 

 nately it does not adhere strongly to the tree, hence its removal is not 

 attended with great difficulty ; the important thing is not to allow it to 

 get too much headway. The treatment after the removal of the mold 

 is to cover the affected parts with a solution of lime, which may best be 

 applied with a brush. Another cryptogam, called by Du Breuil Lichen 

 15GA 12 



