Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-01-04
VINE DISEASES.
The Experiments Now Being Ma"e
by Hon. j. de Barth ShorD.

The Experiments Now Betng Maae
by Hon. j. de Barth Shorb.
Hon. J. de Barth Shorb has sent the
following letter. which contains some IN.
teresting information, to the Board OF
which has not as yet taken
any action in the matter:
AS YOU are aware, for several years
paat a disease has made its appearance
AMONG the vineyards of this section
which has in many instances proved
very destructive and in some cases has
entirely DESTROYED them. Many theories
were advanced as to the cause OF this
disease. The Viticultural Commission
sent some men to examine into 1t. The
opinion of those consulted was to the
effect that it was due to climatic in
fiuences, bnormsl degrees OF tempera-
ture in summer and winter months, ex-
cess of moisture, etc., and when these
causes changed the results would change
With them. The climatic theory most
senerally entertained was possibly based
On the opinion of French scientists, who
have tried to explain the cause OF di-
sesse existing in France known then as
"apoplexy," and which seems to be
aggravated by certain climatic causes.
The disease, in some respects only,
resembles the one here, but not
enough to confound the Judgment OF
any close observer. The climatic theory
is entirely disproved by our examina-
tions, and we now think it is directly
due to some form of fungi which like
s,me deadly mildew settles on the leaves
and by destroying their functions, which
are to the economy of plant, the same
As the heart, lungs and stomach are to
err organisms, starves the vines to death.
II my spores of fungi have been observed
and recorded, but which form is doing
the deadly work cannot at this stage OF
the examination be accurately or scien-
tifically determined. In order to proceed
with this examination with the hope of
arriving at the correct solution before
the vines are again in leaf, we have built
\ small conservatory where by the appli-
cation of artificial heat the vines will re-
main in leaf all winter, giving us the
opportunity of transplanting the different
forms of fungi already observed and care
fully note their development and effect
On the vines. Where temperature and
moisture can be given at will the study
will be rendered easier and the deduc-
tions more accurate. The Viticultural
Commission, at its last semi-annusl
meeting, by resolution appointed me a
committee of one to proceed with the
examination as commenced, and
will defray the expenses of the
small conservatory and also the salary of
Mr.. Dowlen, the votanical expert. The
fact that this work is going on under my
supervision has called forth heavy cor
respondence 30 much, so as to necessi-
tate engaging correspondent who, from
present appearances will have his time
entirely occupied. While the conserva-
tory already finished will be of great SER
vice, yet we cannot find room enough for
the different varieties of vines that are
found to be especially subject to the in
fuence of the disease, and those which
50 far have almost entirely escaped it
or shown so stubborn resistance as to
be considered almost exempt. We
should have double the capacity for
growing ihe vines, and il We found it ad-
visable to engage. temporarily the SER
vices of other scientific experts to have
the means of paying them. The
Viticultural Commission, while anxious
to do all they can insthe discovery of the
disease, is limited in its appropriation,
and feel they have done all they should
do in the premises. 1t is only by
thorough scientific work that accurate or
reliable conclusions can be reached in
such cases as We have now in hand. 1t
was only by exhaustive investigation
that Pasteur found the cause and remedy
for the ravages of the disease among
the silk worms of France. Millions
were destroyed before the cause was
known, but millions were saved afterwards
by accurate knowledge. 1 feel confident
that with what we now know and with
what we may discover during the winters
work as above indicated, we will know
the character of the common enemy. 1t
matters not how yelled in mystery this
disease is, it must give up its secret to
the powerful lenses of the microscopes
which we have now in use, and this dis
covered, the chemist will soon supply the
needed remedy and save the vineyards
of our country. Whatever appropriation
you in your judgment may think proper
to make will be satisfactory to me.
want no compensation for my own time
and services, for as one of the Horticul.
tural Commissioners my time belongs to
that Office, unpaid as it is.