294 VEGETABLE FORCING 



almost a consensus of opinion that the trouble will not 

 appear to any considerable extent if the beds contain a 

 constant and abundant supply of moisture. In this con- 

 nection, Bulletin 214 of the Ohio Station contains the 

 following statement: "It was stated in Bulletin 73 that 

 this trouble was observed to be most destructive in cases 

 of scant water supply in the soil. This observation was 

 again confirmed by the horticultural department of the 

 station during the season of 1899. The trouble was 

 checked by abundant and careful watering, even when it 

 had been very bad, and was again produced by with- 

 holding water and allowing the plants to dry out. The 

 cause appears to be largely due to conditions of drouth, 

 and while other causes than the one just stated, notably 

 a certain bacterium, do join to produce point rot, none 

 other appears so under control as water conditions. The 

 remedy lies, of course, in the avoidance of drouth from 

 which the rot may indirectly result." 



Brooks, who conducted some studies at the New 

 Hampshire station, reached conclusions which were 

 different from the views of Selby and other investigators. 

 He reports as follows in the October (1914) number of 

 Phytopathology: 



"1. The blossom-end rot of the tomato is not due primarily to 

 bacteria or fungi. 



"2. Plants are most susceptible when in a condition of great 

 activity. 



"3. Either continued excessive watering or a sudden check in 

 the water supply may produce the disease. 



"4. With liberally watered greenhouse plants potassium chloride 

 increases the disease, and lime and sodium nitrate decrease it. These 

 facts have not been found to hold true under field conditions. 



"5. Ammonium sulphate, dried blood and cottonseed meal have 

 increased the disease more than sodium nitrate containing an equiva- 

 lent amount of nitrogen. 



"6. Heavy applications of stable manure have increased the dis- 

 ease out of proportion to the increase in vigor of the plants. 



