152 Report op the Botanist of thb3' 



results in values^ under unfavorable conditions a gain of nearly 

 45 per ct. was obtained, while undar more favorable conditions 

 the gain was nearly 95 per ct. 



Darluca filum has been abundant on asparagus rust for two 

 seasons and has been found attacking the ru&t in all its stages 

 except the black or winter stage. Thus far no apparent checking 

 of the injury caused by the rust, by the attacks of Darluoa on the 

 rus-t, has been observed; nor has any checking of the spread of 

 Darluoa by spraying been noticeable. 



RECOMMENDATIONS. 



Thus far the results obtained from spraying asparagus are 

 marked enough to warrant the recommendation of spraying with 

 resin-Bordeaux mixture in general as a means of controlling the 

 af^paragus rust. 



It has been shown that on the test field, even with spraying, 

 the rust destroyed the late growths of asparagus, with a conse- 

 quent weakening of the plants. This in time would reduce the 

 yield below a profitable point and spraying would only add to 

 the expense of getting the reduced crop. Furthermore the work 

 done brought out the fact that spraying asparagus thoroughly 

 results in considerable expense and labor. Whether the cost of 

 spraying can be reduced cannot be stated until after further tests 

 have been made. Even without considering the latter factors it 

 is evident that spraying alone will not wholly protect the crop. 

 Whether varieties will be found which will resist the attacks of 

 the rust entirely, or whether cultivation and soil conditions will 

 prove a check to the attacks of the rust are factors still to be 

 proven. Hence in consideiation of all these facts, spraying should 

 be undertaken with the determination of doing it thoroughly; and 

 with the expectation that the rust will gradually r&duce the 

 vitality of the field even with spraying. Possibly the selection of 

 those varieties which show some resistance to the rust combined 

 with proper attention to cultivation and feeding of the crop, 

 including the use of vegetable matters with the fertilizers used, 

 will aid in preserving the vitality and do much toward obtaining 

 better results from spraying. 



