THREE IMPORTANT FUNGOUS DISEASES 



OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



Many diseases of the sugar beet have been reported in the 

 different countries where this crop is grown, and this is espec- 

 ially true of the old world, where the culture of sugar beets has 

 formed an important industry throughout mau}^ 3^ears. Already 

 there are three diseases in this state which should be well known 

 to those interested in beet culture. When other diseases appear 

 abundantly, they will also receive merited attention. The wide- 

 spread distribution of beet culture during the past few years is 

 necessarily attended by a greater distribution of the diseases. 

 It is well at the start to know what these troubles are, and to 

 know the methods of prevention. The losses from plant diseases 

 are often as great, or greater, than losses due to neglect of the 

 proper methods of culture ; and as long as we must grow varie- 

 ties susceptible to fungous diseases, the grower should prepare 

 to combat these disease attacks just as efficiently as he is 

 equipped to fulfil other necessary cultural requirements. 



I. Root-Rot of Beets {Rhizocto7iia Betoe Kiihn.) 



a. Occurrence of the Disease. 



Beet root-rot was first brought to my attention as a disease of 

 small extent in the vicinity of Binghamton. A few days after- 

 wards it was found abundantly at Cattatonk, N. Y. A visit to 

 the latter place on Aug. 12 demonstrated that the disease was a 

 matter of considerable practical importance. An examination of 

 a three-acre field on the premises of Philip Caple convinced me 

 that probably one-third of the beets in this field were affected, 

 and it was then too late to attempt any remedial measures with 

 this root-rot. Fortunately, some change in the conditions soon 

 checked it, and vny notes represent the final effect of the dis- 

 ease. A careful stud}^ of the affected field showed one point of 

 peculiar interest. In certain areas the chipped tan-bark of an 



