DISEASES OF PLANTS. 57 



affected the beets in some i)arts of tlie State. At the time of tlie attack tlie beets 

 were in the tiixt to third leaf following the seed leaves, and had ])een i>lanted about 

 3 weeks. The roots and stems below ground became lilack and lifeless and the top 

 drojiped to the ground and withered. An examination of tlu^ roots showed the pres- 

 ence of the fungus mycelium, but in the aljsence of fruiting i)odieH it was impossible 

 to identify it. The author believes it probable that the disease was conveyed through 

 the seed, and suggests a treatment of the beet seed before planting. A second dis- 

 ease similar to the one just described is reported as affecting young sugar beets in 

 ^lichigan. It passed under the name "black rot," and differed from the other out- 

 break chiefly in its failure to kill the plants outright. The surface ti.ssues of the 

 roots were lilackened, but the I'entral axis remained alive, and the plants in lields 

 which had not l)een i>lowed up largely recovered. It is l>elieved that this disease 

 likewise is conveyed to the cnij) through the seed, and the use of either formalin or 

 hot water on the seed would prove iH'neticial. 



The diseases of sugar beets, A. Stift (Xc.s- inuladlix de la iKilcrarr. I'uris: Ccrf, 

 1900, pp. A'-{ iii). — This is a translation of a German publication relating to the 

 diseases of the sugar beet. 



The scab of sugar beets (/>/. Znckcrfuhcnbua, 7 {1!)00), No. 4, pp. '>!, i>J). 



The asparagus rust, J. C. Aktui-k {Indiana Sta. Bpt. 1900, pp. 10-14). — The 

 author notes the ()ccurrence of the asparagus rust in the State and Ijriefly outlines its 

 life history. The rust Mas first noticed in Indiana in 1S96. The a'cidiospores, which 

 are formed in tlie spring, are rarely met with, but the other forms are quite common 

 and the disease promises considerable injury to the asparagus croj). A'arious methods 

 are suggested for combating the disease, among them spraying the plants, destroying 

 the spring spores, burning over the ground in autumn for the destrtiction of winter 

 spores, and planting on soil which will stipply an abundance of moisture during the 

 summer. Other means are mentioned, such as the removal of all jilants growing in 

 hedge rows or fields, and the natural check to the rust by its parasites. 



Diseases of tomatoes, H. Tkyox {Queensland Agr. Joar., 8 {1901), No. ^, iJp. 

 136, 137). — A description is given of a tomato black rot in which a nundjer of fungi 

 are associated. The princijjal one, however, proved to be Macrosporium tomato. 



A bacterial disease of tomatoes, W. Stuakt {Indiana Sla. Hpf. 1900, pp. 33-86, 

 pi. l,ji(/. 1). — While studying the effect of chemical fertilizers upon tomatoes grown 

 in the greenhouse, the author experienced considerable annoyance by a disease 

 which attacked and destroye-i many of the fruits. Usually the fruit showed no sign 

 of injury until two-thirds grown, sometimes not until fully developed. The first 

 indication of the disea.se was noticed in the appearance of slightly watery discolora- 

 tions of tissue l>eneath the epidermis. As the disease progressed the affected por- 

 tion assumed a darker color, followed by a gradual depression of the affected tissue, 

 resembling in many respects the disease caused by the black rot. The entire fruit 

 was rarely destroyed, but as a rule its maturity was hastened, the ripe fruit, how- 

 ever, being unmarketa1)le. Generally the disease attacked the apical portion of the 

 fruit, although in a few instances its appearance was noticed in the central or basal 

 portions. An examination of the diseased tissues showed the presence of motile 

 bacteria, which seemed to be fairly constant in all the tissues examined. The organ- 

 ism was isolated and cultures made of it, after which inoculation experiments were 

 conducted with the pure cultures. The inoculation experiments Avere made by 

 puncturing the epidermis of the fruit and introducing the germs, and a character- 

 istic infection was established within a week or 10 days. In this time the greater 

 portion of the tomatoes ha<l l)ecome involved, and in 2 weeks thoroughly decom- 

 posed. In some respects the disease produced by the artificial inoculations differed 

 from that occurring naturally; there was a decidedly w>ffensive od(jr accompanying 

 the rot of the inoculated plants and they were completely destroyed, while in the 

 ordinary i)rocess of the disease no odor was perceptible and only rarely was the 



2;31Ui— No. 1—01 5 



