404 Howard . — On some Diseases of the 
in sugar, and partly on the fact that these cuttings contain 
four or five nodesj and thus there is a good chance of one, at 
least, of the buds developing. As shown in a previous paper 
(21) it is probable that the greater resistance of such cuttings 
to fungi like Thielaviopsis ethaceticus than that of cuttings 
from the first-crop canes, which are richer in sugar, has been 
unconsciously found out by experience and has helped to 
bring about the present practice. It appears, however, 
likely that planting from the worst canes must eventually 
lead to the degeneration of cane varieties, and a promising 
field for investigation seems to be indicated in which the 
resulting canes from the continued selection of the best and 
worst cuttings are compared, on an economic scale, for a number 
of years. 
Sometimes the worst canes on the estate are selected for 
cuttings. In other words, the canes attacked by root disease 
to the greatest extent are used for the preparation of plant- 
material. On examining these canes it is found that the leaf- 
sheaths are firmly cemented to the stem by the mycelium of 
Marasmius , which further covers the scale- leaves of the buds 
as a whitish coating. The leaf-sheaths around the main 
growing-point which form part of the ‘ cane top * generally 
exhibit the black elliptical spore patches of Cercospora vaginae , 
Kruger. That both these fungi are alive was proved by cul- 
tivating the tuft of white mycelium which arose from the buds 
when placed in a moist chamber, and by placing the conidia 
of Cercospora in hanging drops. Thus these two fungi are 
usually planted with the host. 
As previously mentioned Cercospora can be readily traced 
from the cutting to the mature canes. 
Marasmius also follows the cane through its first year’s 
growth, and sometimes, while the young canes suffer from 
drought, overcomes them and gives rise to root disease. 
Generally, however, the favourable conditions for rapid growth 
of the cuttings in December and the high condition of tilth 
during the first crop, enable the canes to develop normally. 
During this time the fungus is able to hang on, on the lower 
