Some Diseases of Beans. 



291 



disease entirely by such treatment. As already pointed out, the fungus 

 mycel'um is imbedded in the bean itself. Any poison that will penetrate 

 sufficiently to kill the fungus will usually kill the seed. There are also 

 other objections: that soaked seeds cannot be conveniently handled in the 

 planter and if allowed to dry, many will " slip " their coats; the reduction 

 in " stand " and consequent necessity of planting a larger quantity of seed 

 is also another objection. On the whole, seed treatment cannot yet be 

 recommended. It is a point that needs further experimental investigation. 

 Selection of clean seed is of first importance in growing a clean crop. 

 All beans to be planted should be most carefully " hand picked " and all 



Fig. 108. — Niagara Gas Sprayer with nozzles especially arranged for spraying 

 bca>is. Used on the farm of C. N . Keency, LcRoy, N . Y ., during the season of 1905. 



beans showing discolorations, wrinkles or blisters should be discarded. 

 This cannot he too carefully done. It has been found that in some cases 

 where 95 per cent of the beans were marketable only one per cent leas fit 

 for seed. 



Removal of diseased seedlings. — As soon as the bean plants are well 

 through the ground, they should be carefully examined and all diseased 

 seedlings pulled up, carried from the Held in a sack, and burned. This is 

 the second step in the contest with the anthracnose and it is important, 



