428 NEW JERSEY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 



than last year at this time. Much of the brush that grew in the early 

 part of the season was badly rusted, but the continued dry and hot 

 weather of the summer helped to check it on a few small patches 

 that showed rust now. A few ^Ecidia showed on them early in the 

 season, but not in sufficient nurnber to bring about general infection." 



To the northward in South Dakota, Professor Saunders reports : 

 ^'I cannot find as it is spreading. * * * It was observed lately 

 infecting a field near Yankton." In North Dakota, from Professor 

 Bolley, it is learned that "the disease * * * did not make 

 much headway upon the garden plot of asparagus until this last 

 summer, when the attack was general and very destructive. The 

 •crop began to yellow early in August, and by the last week in August, 

 when it should have been very green, it was strictly brown and dried 

 yp >!< >K ^ This season has been simply a good growing one, 

 with a little excess of rain in the early part of July. ' ' 



In matter of range, record is made of the rust having been observed 

 in Wisconsin, and that it is now as far southwest as Texas, where it 

 seems to be in a violent form. From the notes upon the rainfall in 

 various States for the present year, it is not clear that there is a close 

 relation between the weather and the amount of rust. It is likely 

 ■only one of the controlling factors. 



In our own State it is gathered from personal observation, conver- 

 sation with asparagus growers visiting the Station and letters from 

 other accurate observers, that the rust has not been as severe as last 

 year. Why there is a decrease may not be easy to determine. The 

 present season has been noted for its moisture and high temperature 

 in summer. For example, the rainfall for the three summer months 

 'for this year were : June, 3.54 ; July, 5.87 ; August, 9.43, or a total 

 of 18.84 inches (see table elsewhere), while last year the same months 

 gave 3.08, 4.74 and 2.68 inches, respectively, or a total of 10.50 

 inches. It is seen that the summer rainfall this season was nearly 

 -double that of 1900. To show that the precipitation has been ex- 

 cessive, it is stated that the average rainfall for June, July and August 

 •for the last twelve years, including the present excessive one, is 13.56 

 inches. It is only suggested that in this increased amount of moisture 

 there may have been a condition favoring a greater growth of the 

 asparagus and a consequent increased power over the enemy. It is 

 also possible that the rains may have served to wash the spores from 

 the smooth stems before they had time to gain a foothold. 



Another point of climatic difference this season, that distinguishes 

 it from others, is the excessive heat of July, which was 3. 4 degrees 



