213 
DCLXIL—MAROMBA VINE DISEASE IN PORTUGAL. 
The following E relates to a disease which as 
made its appearance in the North of Port tugal. It is undoubted 
serious, but it should’ pó possible to keep it in check if Petite 
attacked :— 
FOREIGN OFFICE to ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
THE Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his 
compliments to the Director of the Royal Gardens at Kew, and is 
directed by the Secretary of State for Fore eign Affairs to transmit 
= him the accompanying paper respecting the vine disease in 
ortugal. 
Foreign Office, July 14, 1899. 
(Enclosure.) 
HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY, 
LISBON, to FOREIGN OFFICE. 
My Lor Lisbon, July 7, 1899. 
I NN ‘the honour to report that most disquieting news comes 
from the vine districts of the North of Portugal in consequence 
of the ravages of the “ Maromba,” which has appeared in nearly 
every vineyard of the Douro region. 
The * Maromba " is a parasitic disease, the course of which was 
noted some four years ago by Monsieur Alfred Lecocq, when it 
first made its appearance in Portugal in a mild form 
As yet no definite remedy has been hit upon to counteract 
the evil or prevent its extension, but experiments are being 
actively made in the district, particularly on the estates belonging 
to the Crown. 
f the most troublesome features of this disease is that it 
attacks all classes of vines, including the American, while in some 
localities it has even affected the chestnut and almond plantations. 
l endeavour to obtain more detailed information from 
competent experts. 
I have, &c., 
H. G. MACDONELL. 
The Marquess of Salisbury, K.G., 
&c. &c., &c. 
HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY, 
LISBON, to FOREIGN OFFICE. 
My Lorp, Lisbon, August 30, 1899. 
WITH reference to my despatch, No. 30, Commercial, of the 
7th ultimo, and to Your Lordship’s despatch, No. 13, Commercial, 
of the 22nd ultimo, I Ne the honour to report that the Director 
of the Portuguese Boyal Association of Agriculture has been 
