626 Howard.—On Trichosphaeria Sacchari , Mas see. 
discoloured, and microscopic examination of the tissues at 
the edges of the discoloured areas showed the presence of 
hyphae agreeing in all respects with the mycelium of the 
Rind Fungus. Portions of this tissue taken just under the 
rind and about half an inch from the point of infection were 
cultivated in sterile cane-extract. In ten days the mycelium 
developed therefrom produced characteristic Melanconinm- 
stromata. No infection was noted in the control canes. 
The parasitic character of the Melanconium -spores is therefore 
placed beyond doubt. So far all attempts to inoculate a 
healthy cane with Melanconium -spores without previously 
wounding the plant have failed. 
The result of the above culture experiments with this phase 
of the Fungus is in close accord with its behaviour in a natural 
condition. Practically the only spores of the Fungus met with 
in Barbados are those of the Melanconium condition. These 
are carried by the high trade winds which sweep across the 
Island during the period when the canes are ripening and 
when the Fungus is naturally abundant, and bombard the old 
and young crops. Unfortunately the tunnels of the larvae of 
the prolific £ Moth-Borer ’ (Diatroea saccharalis) provide the 
means of entry of these spores right into the heart of the 
.cane. Infection speedily takes place, and when the mycelium 
has exhausted and killed the host, stromata are formed under 
the rind from which numberless spores are produced which 
again spread the disease. The formation of these spores is 
evidently of more use to the Fungus than the micro- and 
macroconidia which are formed inside the tissues of the cane, 
and which therefore would not escape until complete disor¬ 
ganization had taken place. 
At the present time little attempt is made in Barbados to 
keep the Fungus under control. During crop time large 
piles of 4 rotten cane 1 covered with countless millions of spores 
are to be found in most of the estate yards of the Island. 
In many cases these are made into stacks and left for many 
months, sometimes till the next year. In other cases they 
are collected by the estate workmen and stored for fuel. In 
