66 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



(1903), No. 10-11, ]>/>. SS8-S86, fig. 1).—A preliminary ante is given of a disease of 

 Se8amum orientate which has been recently observed in Bulgaria. From diseased 

 specimens the author lias isolated an organism and by means of inoculations lias 

 been ahle to produce the disease within a few days. The occurrence on the host 

 plant is characterized by the wilting of the plants followed by their destruction. 

 The biology of the bacteria is to he studied further. 



Report on asparagus rust investigation, R. E. Smith (California Sta. Circ. 9, 

 pp. SO, figs. I"). — A preliminary account is given of investigations on the asparagus 

 rust, the investigations being carried on in cooperation between the station and a 

 number of the leading growers, canners, and handlers of asparagus in the vicinity 

 of San Francisco. 



After describing the nature of the disease and its injury the author calls attention 

 to the natural conditions affecting its spread, the susceptibility of varieties to the 

 disease, relation of time of cutting to the disease, effect of spraying, fertilizing tin- 

 soil, parasites, etc. The marketable asparagus is said not to be directly affected by 

 the rust, and the red spots often seen upon the white surface giving the stalks a rusty 

 appearance have been recently determined as due to an entirely different cause 

 which will be investigated during the coming season. The whole subject of the effect 

 of the rust upon the roots and the winter condition of the rust is receiving attention. 



Among the conditions affecting the spread of the disease theauthor has found that 

 the amount of rust varies directly with the amount of dew, and so long as there is 

 little or no dew there will be no rust. The relation of this fact to asparagus 

 cultivation in California is discussed at considerable length and the effect of winds in 

 drying the fields or spreading the disease is shown. Jt is recommended that all 

 willows and other heavy-growth plants forming a shelter to the fields should be cut 

 away, and in planting the rows should be laid out and the distance between the 

 plants increased so as to secure as much dryness as possible. Decided differences 

 are noted in the susceptibility of varieties, the Palmetto proving in California, as in 

 the East, one of the most resistant. 



In discussing the time of cutting asparagus the author recommends that for the 

 present cutting should be stopped early in June, in order that the plants may obtain 

 as much growth as possible before the appearance of the fungus. Spraying has been 

 found to produce a decided reduction in the amount of rust, but when the expense 

 and difficulty of the treatment are considered it is hardly to be recommended. 

 Keeping the plants in vigorous condition by good cultivation and fertilization seems 

 to give good results and to be practical under local conditions. Clean cultivation is 

 particularly recommended. 



The author reports the occurrence of parasitic fungi on the rust, but they appear 

 to have had but little effect in reducing the disease. There has been noticed, how- 

 ever, a mold-like fungus which gives great promise of checking the rust and this will 

 be given further investigation. 



Bordeaux spraying for melon blight, E. R. Bennett (Connecticut Storrs Sta. 

 Bui. 30, pp. 17-28, figs. 3). — The results of experiments for the prevention of melon 

 blight by the use of Bordeaux mixture are given. The fungicide was prepared by 

 the 4-4-40 formula and tested to make sure that it was not acid. Seven sprayings 

 were given a plat of cucumbers, comparisons being made with untreated plats. The 

 blight appeared quite severe on the unsprayed plants, while those having been 

 sprayed continued to grow until cold weather. 



An account was kept of the cucumbers gathered. From the unsprayed portion 

 550 were secured, while from the sprayed plat 1,298 pickles from 2 to 2.5 in. in 

 length were gathered. The results from spraying melons were practical}' the same 

 as from cucumbers. Notes are given on the proper method of making Bordeaux 

 mixture and the time and manner of application. 



Muskmelon blight, W. M. Morgan (West Virginia Sta. Circ. of Information £, 



