245 



Anthracnose 



Caused by Colletotrichum lagcnarium (Pers.) E. & H. 



Anthracnose is a fungus disease which attacks leaves, stems, and 

 fruit of cantaloupe doing serious damage, especially to the fruit under 

 favoring weather conditions. It has not been frequently reported in 

 Illinois, but is known to occur in 8 counties so widely scattered over 

 the state as to indicate its rather general prevalence. Counties in which 

 it has been seen are Carroll, Rock Island, Henderson, Knox, Pike, 

 Lawrence, Gallatin, and Union. The infections seen in Knox, Lawrence, 

 and Gallatin counties were generally severe, while those occurring else- 

 where were, for the most part, light. 



This disease is controlled by treatment of the seed and by the appli- 

 cation of Bordeaux spray (4-4-50) later in the season. 



Mosaic 



The mosaic disease of cantaloupes, the cause of which is not known, 

 results in a stunting of vines and a poorer crop. It has not been fre- 

 quently reported. At present it is known to occur in Whiteside, Sanga- 

 mon. Christian, and Union counties. Rocky Ford melons in Christian 

 couiUy showed 30 per cent of the plants diseased and in Whiteside 

 county Tip-top melons showed infection, while Osage and Rocky Ford 

 plants were free from it. 



Milkweeds are said to be subject to the disease, which is carried by 

 insects from them to the cantaloupe. 



Watermelon 



The acreage devoted to watermelons in Illinois for commercial pro- 

 duction varied from 1,100 acres in 1918 to more than 3000 acres in 1019 

 and ]!»21 and to nearly 3000 acres in 1920. The yield is said to run 

 from %^i\ to 615 melons per acre, the latter figure being the average 

 yield in 1921. Total production in 1920 was 1.014 cars of 1000 melons 

 each, and in 1921 it was 1,894 cars. Production for local markets adds 

 considerably to this acreage and yield. 



The watermelon is subject to several diseases, some of which arc 

 also common to the cantaloupe and cucumber. 



Wilt 

 Caused by Fusarium nivcum E. F. S. 



Wilt, undoubtedly the most serious watermelon disease in Illinois, 

 results in a drooping and wilting of the leaves, and eventually in the 

 death of the plant. The fungus which causes it lives in the soil, gains 

 entrance through the root, and at first plugs the water vessels, later 



