6 
a species of fungus belonging to the genus Cercospora, members of 
which actually cause leaf diseases upon other plants, and which are 
certainly capable of damaging leaves in this way without the prelim- 
inary insect work. ‘The commonest form of this damage seems to be 
caused by Cercospora nicotine, and is known as ‘‘ frog eye” or ‘‘ white 
speck.” Another similar disease known 
by the same names occurs in Florida, and 
another in Europe, where it is known as 
‘*smallpox.” The ‘‘white speck” of the 
North Carolina planters is said by Ellis 
and Everhart to be caused by a fungus 
known as Macrosporium tabacinum.  <A\- 
though not proved, it is quite possible 
that the tobacco flea-beetle is more or less 
responsible for, if not the occurrence, at 
least the spread of these diseases. There 
is a fad for cigar wrappers spotted in this 
way. A patent on an artificial method 
of imitating these disease spots has lately 
been issued. 
The writer has visited tobacco fields in 
Virginia in which almost every plant was 
more or less affected by the tobacco flea- 
beetle. The upper leaves were spotted 
by their work, particularly near the 
edges, and the lower leaves were riddled 
with holes and almost covered with the 
white fungous spots. 
REMEDIES. 
Reference will be made later in this 
bulletin to the advantage of clean cultiva- 
tion in the tobacco fields. The destrue- 
tion of weeds, particularly solanaceous 
weeds, along the margins of the field, will 
be of positive benefit in reducing the num- 
bers of this insect, as well as other tobacco 
insects, unless (and this suggestion we 
make as one of much possible value) itshall 
be found feasible to grow a few clumps 
of nightshade or jimson weed as trap crops for the beetles, the plants 
to be thoroughly poisoned in the early summer before the tobacco has 
been set out. The tobacco crop is one of a few which are peculiarly 
adapted to this kind of remedial treatment. In the ordinary course 
of tobacco culture the weeds are allowed to grow freely about the 
‘margins of the fields. Before the tobacco plants are set out, those 

Fig. 2.—Tobacco leaves damaged by 
Epitrix parvula (original). 

