ipi6 



BETTER FRUIT 



Page 57 



Rhizoctonia on the various hosts sug- 

 gests nothing of promise along the line 

 of selection of varieties for resistance. 

 While some varietal dilTerences have 

 been noted, the outlook is not hopeful, 

 and it is not probable that highly resist- 

 ant or imnume varieties can be obtained 

 by either breeding or selection. Cul- 

 tural practices then must be resorted 

 to in the control of this disease, and 

 the following tentative suggestions are 

 presented: 



1. Use clean soil free from Rhizoc- 

 tonia for the growth of tomato plants 

 if they are to be transplanted, or if the 

 soil is infected use some method of 

 sterilization. 



2. Avoid ground upon which pota- 

 toes have been grown during the past 

 four or five years. Give attention to 

 the possible occurrence of the dis- 

 ease on some other crop th^t might 

 have infected the soil. Cereals and 

 other grasses are never attacked by 

 Rhizoctonia. 



3. Practice a culture method that 

 will supply the growing plants with an 

 abundance of moisture. Lack of moist- 

 ure increases the severity of the dis- 

 ease, since the fungus is constantly cut- 

 ting down the supply of absorbing 

 roots, and so making it more diflicult 

 for the plant to get suflicient water. 

 Good cultivation for the aeration of the 

 soil is also an important factor. 



4. Use a liberal amount of fertilizer 

 so as to stimulate the gi-owth of the 

 plants, and if the soil is known to be 

 acid, correct this acidity by the appli- 

 cation of lime. Rhizoctonia grows 

 better in an acid soil tliaii in those 

 ■which are neutral or alkaline. 



5. In transplanting to the field do not 

 set the plants too shallow. Deep set- 

 ting gives a greater opportunity for the 

 development of adventitious fibrous 

 roots to take the place of those killed 

 by the fungus. It may even be ad- 

 visable to set the plants in shallow 

 trenches and gradually fill around them 

 with successive cultivations. 



fi. Growing the plants in the lield to 

 avoid transplanting is sometimes of 

 value. Injury to the root system in 

 transplanting does not allow the en- 

 trance of the fungus, but retards the 

 development of the young plant, with- 

 out alTecting the advance of the fungus. 

 Carefully transplanted plants that suf- 

 fer little or no check in their growth 

 are more likely to keep ahead of the 

 fungus. 



7. In case a soil infection of a field 

 is suspected, early fall plowing with 

 frequent cultivation is suggested. It 

 seems probable that the aeration of the 

 soil by frequent cultivation lessens the 

 amount of the fungus that will remain 

 alive. Some growers have used this 

 practice with excellent results. 



Careful attention to as many of the 

 suggestions for control as possible will 

 very materially lessen the severity of 

 the disease. In fact, experienced grow- 

 ers are learning liiat the tomato blight 

 can be controMed, or at least reduced 

 to a negligible factor. 



Good Bye ! 

 Mr GopkeK 



— and it's so easy! No bothersome traps — no uncer- 

 tainty. Simply locate the tunnel, place in it a waste 

 ball saturated with Kihnnl. In 3 minutes ignite and 

 cover up the opening with dirt. The deadly gases 

 quickly reach every part o£ the burrow and it's good- 

 bye, Mr. Gopher 1 



Wai KiU *Em AU 



^ilmol both asphyxiates and poisons — fresh air can't revive 

 ^Ir. Gopher. The gas is heavier than air and so remains in 

 tlie burrow for hours. Results guaranteed or money refunded. 

 Used by Government, State and County officials with U. S. 

 Destructor. 



Tlie waste balls we sell are better and cheaper than home- 

 made. Ask us about new Government formula of poisoned bar- 

 ky. Write for interesting information on the eradication of 

 squirrels, gophers, etc. 

 ^ Oregon Distributor 



Portland Seed Company 



Dept. L Portland 



W-ASinNGTHN- Distributor 



James&Hanes 



Dcpt. L Spokane 



V. S. Destruc- 

 tor, invented by 

 IT. S. officials. 

 Forces gases in- 

 to burrow. 





WHEN WRITING AUVERTISKRS MENTION mTTi:K KKl'U 



