THE SORGHUM BLIGHT 215 



the red-blotched leaves and leaf-sheaths. The latter are 

 particularly spotted at the upper portion, just below the 

 ligule. If they are stripped from the stalk the carmine 

 coloration is seen to be conspicuously brilliant inside, 

 and often extending over a large area of the interior sur- 

 face of the sheath. On the leaves themselves the spots 

 -are usually more numerous along the mid-veins. The 

 stalks are usually not locally ailected until late in the 

 season, when they, too, show evidence of the disease by 

 the appearance of red or rusty spots. ' On the ^' brush*' 

 of broomcorn similar discolored patches are to be ob- 

 served, and these directly injure the product. The 

 rusty, corroded places may be frequently found on the 

 brush of the manufactured brooms. 



'^The diseased roots also turn red but soon decay, 

 and, of course, lose the bright color. The oldest roots 

 die first, and, as new ones are successively emitted from 

 the base of the stem in the order commonly occurring in 

 these plants, they, in turn, become successively affected 

 and perish. This is why the plant yields to so sliglit a 

 pull, while healthy ones resist a vigorous effort. Upon 

 close examination it is evident that the exterior part of 

 the roots or cortex is the j^oi'tion in which the disease is 

 resident, the woody fibers of the interior remaining for a 

 long time unchanged, except through natural decay 

 after the death of the whole root. But the woody part 

 is stained from contact with the external laver." 



It has been conclusively shown, both by Professor 

 Burrill, and by Messrs. Kellerman and Swingle, that 

 this disease is due to a distinct species of bacteria, re- 

 quiring a high microscopic power to be seen, and special 

 skill and training to be successfully studied. When 

 highly magnified these bacteria bear a general resem- 

 blance to Fig. 87. 



Treatment. — Rotation of crops seems to be the 

 best method of preventing the development of this dis- 



