34 
subject by the growers, who are promptly adopting the suggestions 
made as to burning, etc., it is doubtless true that had it been elsewhere 
in any quantity reports of its presence would have been made. 
According to Massachusetts Hatchery Experiment Station Report, 
1899, p. 61, there appears to be a relationship between the water-retain- 
ing properties of the soil and the occurrence of rust, the disease being 
most prevalent upon light sandy soils. Spraying the plants with Bor- 
deaux mixture has been tried with some apparent success in control- 
ling the disease, and in New York Station Bulletin 188 spraying with 
Bordeaux mixture to which has been added 5 pounds resin, 1 pound 
potash lye, 1 pound fish oil, and five gallons water is recommended. 
A number of parasitic fungi are known to attack the asparagus rust 
and aid materially in keeping it in check. 
Other diseases due to fungi are known to attack asparagus plants, 
among which an anthracnose (Colletotrichum sp.) is by no means insig- 
nificant, and its effect upon the stalk of asparagus consists of multi- 
tudes of minute dark specks, shown in fig. 13. In Europe a fungus, 
known as Sclerotium durum Pers, attacks the old stalks, and another, 
known as Cereospora asparag? Saccardo, forms gray specks on the green 
branches of asparagus; still another, the copper-red thread fungus, 
attacks the roots, and is familiarly known as the ‘‘ root killer.” 
INSECT ENEMIES. 
By F. H. Currrenpen, Assistant Entomologist. 
The principal insect enemies of asparagus are two beetles, both 
imported from the Old World, and both, so far as known, limited for 
food supply to this plant. A third insect, known as the asparagus fly 
(Platyparea peciloptera Schrk.), isalsoinjurious to asparagus in Europe, 
but it has not yet been detected in this country, and is only mentioned 
that American asparagus growers may be on their guard against it, as 
it is a species that is liable at any time to be brought to our shores. 
THE COMMON ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 
(Crioceris asparagi Linn. ) 
This species, as its common name indicates, is still the most abun- 
dant of the asparagus beetles and by far the most important enemy 
of this plant. Its first appearance was noted in this country at Astoria, 
near New York City, in 1860, and it is now conceded that it was intro- 
duced into that locality about 1856. 
The injury inflicted by this insect is due to the work of both adults 
and larve upon the tender shoots, which they render unfit for market 
early in the season. Later they destroy by defoliation growing plants, 
and are particularly injurious to seedlings, the roots of which are 
weakened by having their tops devoured. Larvee, as well as beetles, 
attack the tenderest portions of the plants, but the latter gnaw with 
seemingly equal relish the epidermis or rind of the stems. The beetles 
