27 



of ILe two plants is their susceptibility to injury from 

 the attMcks of the microscopic nematode Avorms that in- 

 fest the soil, especially in gardens and orchards, in parts- 

 of the Gulf States. These worms enter the roots of 

 many plants, cowpeas, cO'tton, peaches and numerous 

 ^c\iietables, causing swellings, Avhich, as they become 

 larger, result in depriying the infected root of its fun*^- 

 tion of supplying water and food to the plant. 



It is important for farmers to distinguish these nema- 

 tode injuries from the beneficial tubercles naturally 

 present. 



Speaking generally and disregarding the advanced or 

 corky stage of the nematode swelling, tubercles and nem- 

 atode bumps may be distinouished by their posit^.OD. The 

 beneficial tubercles are located outside of the outer sur- 

 face of the root, and to the side of the same ; the injurious- 

 enlargements are usually spindle shaped and their posi- 

 tion is such that the root seem to be gTowing through the 

 center of the swelling. In other words, the root is en- 

 laroed symmetricallT on all sides in the early stages of 

 nematode injuries. 



Cowpeas are yery susceptible to injuries from nema- 

 todes. Velvet beans are highly resistant to such attacks, 

 if not entirely exempt from ithem. We have been able 

 to find no plain indications of nematode injuries on 

 the roots of velvet beans. 



This is a matter of much importance, especially when 

 a choice must be made between these two legumes for 

 growing in old garden spots, which are likely to be in- 

 fested with nematodes, or with a fungus root disease. 



In this connection it should be said that Or- 

 ton and Webber, of the United States Depart- 

 ment of AgTiculture, found the Iron variety of 



