Jxxxiv 



110 YAL 110HTIC VLTV KAL SOC I ET ST. 



P.S. Since examining the sheaths, in a grain of wheat from the 

 " Take-all " (which showed in the furrow somewhat of the same red 

 transparent appearance), after maceration and removal of the outer 

 skin, where none of the Aspergillus could be present I find a 

 number of delicate threads which are in all probability the myce- 

 lium of some fungus. This is certainly a point which ought to be 

 taken into consideration together with the presence of fungous 

 matter as observed above on the rachis, at the point of junction 

 of the glumes. 



Report on " Bed Rust " and " Take-all " affecting Wheat and other 

 Crops in South Australia. 



To the Directors of the South Australian Company. 



Gentlemen, — From a careful consideration of the Report of 

 the Commission appointed to inquire into, and report upon the 

 diseases in Cereals, and also of the minutes of evidence taken, 

 it would appear that wheat and other crops grown in the 

 Colony have suffered very materially from at least two distinct 

 affections — the " Eed-rust," and the so-called " Take-all." 



The " Med Bust:' 



This affection appears to have been very prevalent throughout 

 the Colony in the year 1867, and to have caused immense da- 

 mage to the wheat-crops. Red rust is a well-known fungoid 

 growth ; and, as will be seen by reference to the letter appended 

 hereto, from the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, who is one of the best 

 authorities on such subjects in Great Britain, the evidence as to 

 its identity and characters, given by scientific witnesses in the 

 Colony is fully confirmed by that gentleman. It is one pecu- 

 liarity of red rust that its development is dependent on certain 

 favourable conditions of temperature and moisture, and that 

 when these occur it increases with extraordinary rapidity. 



From the tables of rainfall at various places in South Aus- 

 tralia in 1867, it would appear that the months of September 

 and October were unusually wet — the rain-fall being in some in- 

 stances double, and in others more than double, the average of 

 the districts in question. It would further appear that the rain 

 did not fall for the most part in heavy showers, leaving intervals 

 during which the soil and plant could become relieved of super- 



