THE BACTEEIAL BLIGHT 



161 



regions of the North, and it is possible that it is due to 

 the same germs as the bacterial blights and rots of vari- 

 ous otiier vegetables, such as celery, potato, tomato, etc. 

 *^Soon after the plants are up, and usually by the time 

 they have reached out a foot or so u^^on the ground, the 

 trouble begins. The stem may become moist, in a man- 



no. 70. CUCUMBER LEAF AFFECTED WITH MILDEW. 



ner to suggest what is termed ^ water core' in apples. 

 This may be close to the base of the plant, or midway 

 between that point and the tip of the vine. Sometimes 

 one leaf-stalk decays first, and the disease spreads from 

 it to other parts. Occasionally the free young end melts 

 away with the trouble. When tissue that is freshly dis- 

 eased is examined, it is found swarming with bacteria, 

 11 



