FIRST REPORT ON THE BEAN ANTHRACNOSE 



INVESTIGATIONS. 



For the past two years the writer has been devoting considerable 

 time to observations and experiments on the anthracnose or pod-spot 

 of beans. The investigation has now progressed far enough to warrant 

 a preliminary report. Certain recommendations usually made for the 

 control of this disease have been found to be worthless or impractical. 

 Others appear to be of doubtful value. At least one new factor in the 

 control of the disease, viz., clean seed obtained by pod selection, has 

 presented itself and gives promise of solving the problem, A 

 summarizing of the results obtained thus far on these points, seems 

 desirable in order that we may determine definite lines of investigation 

 for our future work, and present to the' grower the latest and 

 best information which we have on the subject. . The beginning 

 of the work on this disease was marked by the publication 

 of Bulletin 239, "Some Diseases of Beans." It was prepared at the 

 close of the first year's observations on the anthracnose, and is, as 

 indicated therein, largely a compilation from what appeared to be the 

 most reliable sources of information. From a careful and exhaustive 

 study of the literature on the subject up to that time, certain methods of 

 controlling the disease were proposed and recommended to the growers. 

 The bulletin was prepared to meet the demand of growers for 

 information on the subject. Since its publication we have endeavored 

 to determine, largely by observation in the field, whether or not the 

 methods there recommended are effective and practicable. 



As a result of three years' observation and experience, together with 

 some experiments directed along the lines of some of the recommenda- 

 tions made, it seems necessary to modify the generally accepted con- 

 clusion in regard to the control of this disease. On this account I shall 

 briefly review the different methods proposed in Bulletin 239, pointing 

 out certain incorrect or impractical recommendations. 



CRITICISM OF BULLETIN 239. 



Seed treatment. — Nothing has been done in an experimental way to 

 determine the accuracy of the conclusions recorded on this point, but 

 for two reasons the writer believes them to be correct: first, that what 

 experiments have been reported along the line of seed treatment, have in 

 general shown that the benefits derived are insignificant, especially when 



285 



