THE POTATO WART DISEASE 



Life on the farm is prevented from becoming monotonous 

 bv a constant influx of new plant diseases and insect pests in 

 spite of the quarrantine of the Federal Horticultural Board. 

 This time it is a new disease that threatens the nation's stand- 

 by, the white or "Irish" potato. The disease does not attacl: 

 the potato plant above ground and is therefore not conspicuous 

 during the growing season, but the tubers become infested 

 with rough, brown spongy or wart-like outgrowths of varying 

 size which turn black with age. Potatoes thus attacked are 

 rendered unfit for food. The disease is known as potato wart. 

 It is caused by a parasitic fungus, Chrysophlyctis endohiotica, 

 and belongs to a group of parasites that attack the stems, leaves 

 and roots of many kinds of plants. The fungus was discovered 

 in 1896 and has only recently been found in the United States 

 along the Atlantic Seaboard. It is hoped that its further spread 

 may be prevented and anyone knowing of its presence in his 

 fields should report it to the Department of Agriculture at 

 once. We are indebted eo the Bureau of Plant Industry for 

 the photo from which our cut was made. 



