moiily as lesions along- the midrib and principal veins. Susceptible 

 varieties lost a large percentage of their leaves. Similar lesions also 

 occurred on the stems and petioles, several such often uniting so as 

 to involve practically their entire length. Young- plants were in 

 some cases completely girdled, resulting in speedy death, and in other 

 instances they M^ere so seriously weakened that little growth was 

 made. On the pods very characteristic spots occurred. These ap- 

 peared first as circular dark-brown areas, soon becoming sunken, 

 ^nd often coalescing to form irregular cankers. In each of these 

 spots there was an abundant production of conidia (reproductive 

 bodies) occurring in the form of numerous pink masses, so that at 

 this stage the spots had a decided pink color. The fungus grows 

 from these spots into the seeds, where it remains dormant until ger- 

 mination occurs, when it attacks the young plant. The necessity of 

 selecting seed from disease-free pods will be apparent, since there 

 is no method of destroying the fungus present without destroying 

 at the same time the vitality of the seed. 



As soon as the presence of anthracnose was noted spraying tests 

 with Bordeaux mixture were initiated. Two applications were made. 

 While it is impossible to draw definite conclusions from the results 

 of one year's tests on a small plot, it seems apparent that spraying, 

 with Bordeaux at least, is not effective, a conclusion which workers 

 in other regions have also reached. Here as elsewhere the solution 

 of the problem lies in the production of resistant varieties, a matter 

 which has already lieen taken up by the plant breeder with excellent 

 pro.spects of success. A black Venezuelan bean has so far given 

 excellent results, and if it maintains its freedom from disease will 

 be very satisfactory. 



The first trials included the following varieties arranged here in 

 their order of susceptibility as indicated by one season's tests in 

 sliort parallel rows: ' 



Per cent of 

 pods spotted. 

 Saddle blaok wax 42 



Burpees round yellow, six weeks bush .S4 



Improved black wax 32 



Ilendesons bountiful bush 21 



Extra early refugee 10 



Early bountiful bush S 



Early red valentine bush 7 



Curry's golden wax rust proof ^ 



This arrangement is based upon observations of the severity of 

 infection on leaves and stems and upon counts of the pods, classify- 

 ing them as free of spots, spotted and rejected. This count seemed 



95 



