FUNGOID DISEASES OF FARM AND 



GARDEN CROPS. 



CHAPTER I. 



GENERAL INFORMATION. 



The diseases described in the subsequent pages of 

 this book are caused by fungi (low forms of vege- 

 table life) which rob the larger plants of part of their 

 nourishment. The term fungi, however, is some- 

 what vague, hence it will be well at the outset to 

 state definitely in what light the word will be used. 

 In its wider sense it embraces not only the h'tce fungi, 

 but also the bacteria, while in the narrower light it 

 includes the true fungi only — bacteria coming in a 

 separate class. Practically all the diseases described 

 herein are caused by the true fungi, and hence the 

 term is used throughout in its narrower sense. ^ 

 Everyday examples of true fungi are to be found 

 in the various moulds on fruit, jam, cheese, and in 

 the mushrooms, toadstools, mildews, etc. 



A classification of fungi is given on p. 34, where 



1 A few diseases not caused by true fungi will be described, but 

 these will be noted in the text. 



I 



