388 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 
that seed watered with the juice of diseased fruits did not germinate, 
or only 25 per cent, germinated at all, and these soon decayed ; that 
the diseased juice when introduced into healthy stems and fruits 
of tomato rapidly produced decay ; that young tomato plants in 
proximity with diseased cucumbers were all destroyed. Hence it is 
concluded that the disease in question is caused by bacteria, and may 
be transmitted to other plants by inoculation. If all this should be 
confirmed, then we shall have to deal with another class of plant 
diseases of fungoid origin, which will require a different mode of 
treatment, and doubtless offer a stubborn resistance. 
From the foregoing observations it will be manifest that there 
are such broad distinctions between different groups of pestiferous 
fungi that they should not all be subjected to the same mode of treat- 
ment, and that the remedies which might be successful in cases of one 
hind would be powerless in another. Hence, then, modes of treat- 
ment must have a relation to the known character of the parasite. 
It follows from this that a certain amount of knowledge of the life 
history and affinities of the parasite must precede any definite effort 
to counteract or destroy it, as in animal diseases an accurate diagnosis 
must precede treatment. Such being the case, it is important to 
consider what means can be employed to diffuse the necessary infor- 
mation amongst cultivators, so as to enable them to determine the 
general character of the disease. This does not imply the specific 
identification of the fungus, which would be the work of an expert, 
but the general characteristics only, and especially whether the disease 
is caused by an endophyte or an epiphyte. After this, presuming it 
to be an endophyte, whether it is related to the rot-moulds, the forms 
of Anthracnose as represented by species of Gieeosporium , or to the 
66 rusts” or Uredines, the cultivator in possession of the power to deter- 
mine thus much for himself might easily learn what remedies have 
been most successful in similar cases, and apply them systematically 
with some hopes of success. 
In countries where there is any extensive culture of fruits or 
vineyards as a commercial enterprise the Departments of Agriculture 
there are sometimes found to apply themselves to a limited extent 
to the dissemination of information or the acquisition of reports 
on the chief diseases to which the culture is liable. These should 
naturally be the centres of activity for such purposes, but experience 
has shown that they are apt to ignore vegetable parasites until such 
pests have passed into an extreme stage, when they are exceedingly 
difficult to combat. Self-help is more important and effective than 
official aid, and the stimulant to self-help may be furnished most 
effectually by the diffusion of useful knowledge in such a form and 
in such a manner that the eulturist may be able to recognise at once 
the attacks of disease, ascertain its character, and oppose checks to its 
progress before it becomes an established pest. It seems to us that 
such departments as we have alluded to, or some similar central 
authority, would be well employed in perseveringly disseminating such 
elementary information as we have suggested in these observations, or 
any suggestions which might enable the eulturist to recognise a fungus 
pest, to determine its character, and to apply remedies intelligently and 
systematically. It should not be difficult to furnish a “ guide” for the 
use of fruit-growers everywhere, which should set forth the various 
