138 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The problem in connection with peach diseases has been to find a 

 spray solution that would not injure the peach foliage. This has 

 been brought about by the discovery of the self-boiled lime-sulphur 

 solution, which has been demonstrated to be an effective remedy for 

 the control of the destructive brown-rot and also of peach scab. 

 A disastrous blight of peaches in California, due to a gumming 

 fungus, has also been brought under control by late fall or early 

 winter spraying with fungicides. 



A number of serious fungous diseases of the cranberry have been 

 investigated and effective methods of control devised. A satisfac- 

 tory method for the treatment of grape anthracnose, a very destruc- 

 tive malady of both fruit and vine, has been demonstrated, and a 

 remedy for black-rot perfected. Among the nut diseases, a remedy 

 for pecan scab by spraying has been worked out. 



A serious contagious disease belonging to the peacli-3''ellows group, 

 known as " little peach," has been discovered and described and a 

 practical method of control by eradication developed. This was at 

 one time a dangerous disease in the Michigan, New York, and New 

 Jersey peach belts. 



The fruit pathological work has been strengthened through the 

 institution of thorougli, S3^stematic spraying demonstrations in or- 

 chards and vinej^ards in various parts of the country. In this man- 

 ner methods of treatment of fruit diseases have been brought home 

 to the farmer and the value of our research discoveries has been 

 greatly increased. 



DISEASES OF COTTON, TRUCK CROPS, AND SUGAR BEETS. 



The cause of a group of destructive wnlt diseases of cotton, cow- 

 pea, watermelon, tomato, and other plants in the Southern States 

 has been found to be root and stem infecting fungi (Fusanum spp.) 

 and a practicable method of control developed through selection and 

 the breeding of disease-resistant varieties. 



Advances have been made in our knowledge of the cause and con- 

 trol of a number of potato diseases, the most serious of which is 

 potato wilt, causing premature ripening followed by dry-rot in 

 storage. Methods of treatment for blackleg and earh^ and late blight 

 have also been determined, and the cause ascertained of leaf-roll, a 

 destructive disease of potatoes in the West. 



The asparagus-rust problem has been solved by breeding resistant 

 varieties. Truck growers have been sliow^n, by spraying demonstra- 

 tions, how to control the destructive blights of cucumbers, canta- 

 loupes, celery, and other crops, and how to manage their soils to 

 escape malnutrition troubles and at the same time to produce more 

 crops with less fertilizer. A general investigation has been made 

 of dry-rot, stem-rot, and other diseases of sweet potatoes, and 

 remedial measures have been recommended. Tobacco root-rot, 



