344 Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



Treatment. 



In the treatment of this trouble especial attention must be given 

 to the environment of the plants and those conditions which fav^or 

 the rapid development of the parasites. These conditions are known 

 in most cases to be high temperature accompanied by a large mois- 

 ture content of the soil, humid atmosphere, insufficient light and 

 close apartments, and soil which lias become thoroughly infested 

 with the fungi by the dev^elopment of the disease in plants growing 

 in the same. Some excellent notes on the treatment of the disease 

 by gardeners and horticulturists are given in the American Garden 

 for 1890, by Meehan, Massey, Maynard, Watson, Lonsdale, Gardi- 

 ner, and Bailey, and a short description of the potting bed fungus 

 {Artotrogus debaryanus) by Seymour. The principal lines of treat- 

 ment suggested there from the practical experience of the writers, 

 are as follows : 



When cuttings are badly diseased they should be taken out, the 

 soil removed, benches cleaned and fresh sand introduced, when only 

 the sound cuttings should be reset. For cuttings is recommended 

 a fairly cool house, and confined air should be avoided in all cases. 

 As much sunlight as possible should be given as the plants will 

 stand without wilting. When close atmosphere is necessary guard 

 against too mucli moisture and keep an even temperature. The 

 soil should be kept as free as possible from decaying vegetable 

 matter. This is a very important matter, for several of the most 

 troublesome of the parasites grow readily on such decaying vege- 

 table matter and in many cases obtain such vigorous growth that 

 they can readily attack a perfectly healthy plant which could resist 

 the fungus if the vegetable matter had not been there to give it 

 such a start. Soil which is dry beneath and wet on top as results 

 from insufficient watering by a sprinkler favors the disease more 

 than uniformity of moisture throughout the soil. 



In seed beds use fresh sandy soil free from decaying matter. 

 Avoid over watering especially in dull weather, shade in the middle 

 part of the day only and keep temperature as low as the plants will 

 stand. 



When seedlings are badly diseased it will be wise to discard them 

 and start the bed anew. In the early stages however they can fre- 

 quently be saved by loosening the soil to dry it, and placing the pots 

 in sunny places at such times as they will not wilt. Some advocate 



