230 MANUAL OF FRUIT DISEASES 
the attacks of the black-rot and downy-mildew pathogenes 
than when besieged with powdery-mildew and anthracnose fungi. 
From these facts it is clear that the pedigree of a variety is an 
essential indication of the probable susceptibility to disease. 
Buiack-Rot 
Caused by Guignardia Bidwellit (Ellis) Viala and Ravaz 
The first important records of black-rot come from Missouri 
in 1861, although the disease had been known many years 
prior to this date. About that time (1861) there was a rise in 
the grape industry near St. Louis, which, especially in 1860 
to 1864, was accompanied by epiphytotics of black-rot. In 1885 
the disease was first recognized in France, into which country 
the pathogene had, at some previous’ date, been introduced 
from America. In 1886 there was very little of the disease, 
owing to the dry weather; however, in 1887 it became serious in 
many localities new to the trouble. The vineyardists abroad 
were desirous of obtaining the best varieties and so they went 
not only to the wild grapes for cuttings, but imported them 
from America. They were further interested in getting posses- 
sion of varieties resistant to the phylloxera, and consequently 
the introduction of the black-rot organism was comparatively 
easy. So serious had the grape-disease situation become in 
France by 1887, that the noted Viala was detailed by the French 
government to visit America in the interest of French viti- 
culture. Since this date many papers dealing with the disease 
have appeared in various languages, but more particularly in 
French and English. 
At present the black-rot disease is practically omnipresent. 
Its geographical range in Europe is approximately coincident 
with that of the grape; for the pathogene, having reached 
France, spread rapidly into Germany, Italy and Asia Minor. 
