354 



Bulletin 163. 



The outer or older leaves are of course first affected, and after 

 the leaf stalks wilt these leaves are shed. In the meantime the 

 plant is endeavoring to supply this deficienc}^ of leaves by con- 

 tinuing to develop new ones from the center, or from the bud. 

 In consequence of this, the crown becomes considerably elongated, 

 as in figure 58. During the past summer several fields of beets 



were observed in which 

 the majority of the 

 plants showed crowns 

 thus elongated. If 

 this is very marked, the 

 roots are abnormally 

 small, and much of the 

 energy of the plant is 

 evidently directed to 

 saving itself. Even 

 where the leaves are 

 much less injured, it is 

 undoubtedly a matter 

 of economy to resort to 

 preventive measures. 



During the present 

 season this disease has 

 been especiall}^ abun- 

 dant in the valleys 

 along the streams, but 

 there is every reason to 

 ■ believe that it is usually 



1%.— Prolonged crown of a beet which has been quite as abundant in 

 affected by the leaf -spot fungus. ^^^ ^j^^ ^^^^ as in the 



low land. In the same field the conditions seem to make but 

 little difference ; it is found in the moist basins, and on the well- 

 drained knolls. 



Sorauer has stated that the leaf spot fungus is not confined to 

 the leaves, that it is also to be found upon the bracts and pedun- 

 cles of the flowers, and even upon the seed pods themselves. 

 For this reason he thinks that the disease may be transmitted 

 through the seed so as to be in readiness to affect young seedlings. 



/ 



