102 VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Late or Irish Blight of TomatD. 



The fungus causing this disease also attacks the potato as previously 

 described, and its method of attacks on stems and leaves of tomato plants is 

 similar, but it is not as a rule of serious consequence amongst tomatoes. 

 The stmptoms on the leaves and stems are similar to those described on the 

 pocato for late or Irish blight. Fruit in all stages of ripening may also be 

 affected, the disease appearing in the form of dark spots which may continue 

 to develop after picking and cause rapid decay. Very young plants are 

 .sometimes attacked. 



Systematic spraying with Bordeaux (see page 128) mixture will prevent 

 infection. 

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Leaf B:ight of Tomato. 



This disease is caused by a fungus, which attacks the stem, fruit and calyx, 

 and more especially the leaves. It produces small circular brown spots on the 

 lower leaves, and if these are seriously affected they turn yellow and die. If 

 weather conditions favour the fungus, the attack progresses upwards, and in 

 severe attacks little of the plant may remain but bare stems and small 

 stunted fruit. The withering of the leaves makes the attack look like that 

 of Irish blight, but the spots on the leaves distinguish it from other diseases. 

 Affected leaves have a tendency to curl dorsally throughout their length, 

 and may hang loosely on the stem. With severe attacks, old leaves may be 

 killed faster than new ones are produced, and the plant is finally checked to 

 such an extent that little fruit is produced, or what has been produced may 

 be ripened quicker. 



The fungus lives through the winter in old fallen leaves and other parts 

 of the plant. Thus in controlling the disease all such refuse should be 

 collected and burnt. 



The disease often attacks young plants just after setting out in the field- 

 Bordeaux mixture (see page 128) promptly sprayed on the plants after the 

 disease appears will check it. Spraying, however, should be considered as 

 a necessary operation in tomato-growing, t and not be delayed until some 

 .disease makes its appearance. 



Leaf Spot of Beans. 



A disease that has recently appeared on French beans is that known as 

 leaf spot. The fungus which causes it, attacks the leaves and stems, pro- 

 ducing brownish patches, and causes the leaves to fall away. The spots 

 become large and angular, being often limited by the veins. Spraying 

 with weak Bordeaux mixture (see page 128) is recommended for its control. 



Leaf Spot or Late Blight of Celery. 



This disease is frequently overlooked or neglected in its early stages, and 

 not noticed till later in the season, when its ravages have assumed epidemic 

 form. The first signs are small discoloured areas on the foliage, mostly on the 

 lower outside leaves. By holding up the leaf to the light, and looking through 



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