a Fungus causing a Disease of the Sugar-cane . 531 
to effect a rapid extension of the species by wind-borne 
conidia. 
As to immediate protective measures ; all diseased plants 
should be burnt at once, and not allowed to accumulate as 
rubbish. No portion of a diseased cane should be used for 
propagation, neither should apparently healthy canes be used 
that are obtained from infected areas. It is almost certain 
that the great amount of litter strewed on the ground in the 
cane-plantations acts as a nurse to the fungus : hence it would 
be a great advantage, wherever practicable, to plant the 
ground previously occupied by cane, with other crops for 
a year or two, first burning all the litter. If the above 
precautions were persistently carried out, the fungus would 
be kept well in check, and no longer constitute a grievous 
disease. 
Finally, the endeavour to eradicate the disease should be 
general. It would be a waste of energy on the part of one 
planter to carry out all the necessary precautions in the 
neighbourhood of a neglected plantation. The entire evidence 
points to the conclusion that the disappearance of the disease 
will follow prompt and universal action on the part of those 
concerned. 
EXPLANATION OF FIGURES IN PLATE XXVII. 
Illustrating Mr. Massee’s paper on Trichosphaeria Sacchari. 
Fig. 1. Portion of a cane showing the Melanconium- stage of the fungus in the 
young condition. Nat. size. 
Fig. 2. Portion of a cane showing the Melanconium -stage in the mature con- 
dition ; the projecting threads consist of myriads of conidia held together by a 
mucilaginous substance. Nat. size. 
Fig. 3. Section through a mature Melanconium- pustule showing the stroma with 
two conceptacles, from one of which a filament, a , of conidia has been expelled. 
X 200. 
Fig. 4. Portion of wall of a conceptacle in the stroma of Melanconium showing 
the origin of the conidia. x 650. 
N n 
