122 THE OLIVE 



ditions having no part in its decline. The propagation of tiiis dis- 

 ease through the creeper, can be effected by the contact of heakhy 

 with infected phmts. Infection through the spores commences in 

 the trunk, and is transmissible by the wind. 



Where this malady is suspected, if it exists, an examination will 

 show the funo'oid o'rowth of the A<>:aricus melleus. The onlv rad- 

 ical treatment for this parasite is to uproot the infected trees at 

 once, and burn at least the affected parts. The extirpation of the 

 mushroom will prevent propagation by spores. Other trees should 

 not be planted immediately in ground from which diseased ones 

 have been removed. 



Fl MACtO OLE E, black SMUT OK RUST. 



(See Bate XV,) 



This is an ej^iphyte fungus which attacks the branches and foliage 

 of the olive more especially on the under parts. (Fig. 1.) It consists 

 of black sootv blotches wlucli form an incrustation more or le>s 

 dense, which is smooth on the adhering; side and scalv on the outer 

 side. The bhick ])0wdej, o-reatlv ma^'nified, is seen in (Fiu\ 2.) 

 The trees attacked by this l)lack smut, languish as it impedes the 

 exhalation of the leaves. It manifests itself mostly on plants thait 

 have not sufficient liirlit. or which are situatcnl in soil that is ])oov, 

 or low and humid. Sometimes it follows innuediatelv the invasion 

 of the scale which have entee])lcd the branches or where the Honey 

 dew prevails. These ai'c conditions favorable to this fungus. 



Some entomologists claim that the scale is the CcUise of this fundus 

 This is a (piestion in olive cukure tluit has been widely discusseii 

 and has occupied the attention of European exj^erts for the last 

 hundred vears with tlie resuk that it mav now be stated ])Ositivelv 

 that this fungus can be propagated without the aid of the s(*ale insect. 

 The black scale and the 1)lack fungus are two separate and distinct 

 r)ests to which tlie olive tree is subject and thomih tliev aiv (^ften 

 seen toa'cther, have orioins entirelv distinct. 



