The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-27
in brief. The report wound up with the
following deductions:

First-The observed phenomena would be
mostly explained If we consider the disease to
be due to an epidemic caused by an external
parasite arising after the wet season OF 1855
"a, and spreading with greatest virulence
from the vicinity OF Anaheim. This parasite
must be capable of working during the most
heated portions OF the year, and must exist at
the present time, though working with less In
tensity than at first. Uncinula spiralis is the
only parasite yet known in the region. which
even approximately satisfies these conditions,
but more than normal virulence would have to
be assigned this fungus to explain the observed
results.
Second-The observed phenomena would be
in the main explained If there were form OF
mic ro-organism within the vine capable OF
altering the normal physiological relations OF
the plant at the heat of the season, and which
organism began to spread In the Santa Ana
Valley about the year 1884.
Third-A weakened condition of the cell con-
tents, acquired under exceptional local condl-
which is persistent and cumulative from one
hot season to another, would in part explain
the observed phenomena. The objections to
this explanation are: (a) The cause and nature
of such weakness are not fully apparent; (b)
it does not account for the death of the vines
grown from unaffected cuttings since the
disease appeared; (c) it poorly harmoni yes
with the health and normal productiveness
of old vines for several years subsequent to
the death of the first vineyards.
Various forms of fungi, parasitic diseases
like phylloxera and non-parasitic diseases
like chlorosis, pourriJure, mal-nero. rou-
geot and folletage. were all excluded as in
any way being able to account for the con-
ditions of the affected vines.
Professor Pierce is still working on this
subject for the Government.
Alexander Craw, the entomologist of the
State Horticultural Society, said yesterday:
am not surprised that the disease still re-
mains mystery TO Professor Pierce, for it is so
complicated. Professor Pierce is one of the
hact tad in fhQr nT1fr I n on no
subject of vine diseases.
l do not think it is so virulent now, and do
not think there are any cases of 1T at all north
of Tehachapi. 1t seems to be peculiar to South
1, is matter which is outside of our depart
ment. OF course, If any cuttings come to this
State which we think are infected with insects
we do not allow them to be used.
The Mission variety, which appears to have
been the first to be affected, came originally
from seeding, / believe. Being black grape
are some who think it came from the black
Alicante OF Spain.
If the scientists, however, have failed to
find the cause, Executive Officer Wetmore
is satisfied that he has been more success
full. The key to the solution he finds in
one word, "alkali." Said he yesterday
afternoon:
about the thing if the ordinary causes
and effects OF things are considered. In
the first place there was very
heavy rainfall just before this so-called
disease appeared; in the second, the
suDsoil is strongly alkaline in the third, the
unusual rainfall was followed by period of
very excessive heat that season. Now, put
these together, and what might be the conclu-
sion? l would say that the water saturated
the soil to such a depth that the alkali in the
subsoil was in solution and the heat drew the
alkah to the surface. The vines were then
poisoned with the alkali.
was at Ltvermore last week examining
some vines of q man who thought they had
been attacked with phylloxera, but 1t was
nothing of the Sort
The water there had accumulated into sort
of basin, SO that the ground had been well
saturated. We dug down and found that
the roots were all dead and decayed where
they were down deep in the ground, though
they were not affected at all near the surface.
This is why think aikali-poisoning was the
cause OF the "Ansheims disease"
Professor Pierce in his report had said
the roots furnished no clew to the true
cause.