MELONS DISEASES AND ENEMIES. *$ 



affected parts as soon as the canker appears, and persisted in so as to keep them dry;' 

 this will generally keep the plants alive until the fruit is perfected. 



Bacterial Trouble. Melon plants sometimes become sickly and collapse in a short 

 time. It is not easy to describe the appearance, for no two plants are alike, but the 1 

 stem, bine, or leaf-stalk attacked usually becomes thicker, moist, and discoloured. This 

 may be close to the base of the plant or between that point and the tip of the growth. 

 Sometimes one leaf-stalk decays first and the disease spreads from it to other parts. 

 Not unfrequently the leaves become spotted, that is, certain areas decay and fall away 

 as if scorched. Occasionally the fruit is attacked, disease spots appear on the surface 

 about the time it ought to ripen, and the flesh becomes useless. When tissue that is 

 freshly diseased is examined, it is found swarming with bacteria bodies- producing a: 

 ferment, and no other cause of the disorganisation is to be seen. The malady has proved 

 disastrous in the United States of America, and it is more widespread in this country 

 than many are willing to admit. It is certain that the disease may be carried over from 

 year to year in the soil, and in the seed also ; therefore, soil sanitation or fresh loam, 

 and seed from healthy fruit are the best safeguards against it. . 



Root Disease. This is caused by a small nematoid worm (Eelworm, Heterodera 

 radicicola). The nodules found on the roots are not always caused by this pest, for 

 they may be present without the eelworms, and these may infest the roots whether the 

 nodosities are present or not, but they generally attack the root nodules and live inside 

 the tissues of the plants, causing them to perish. Attacked plants speedily succumb to 

 the disease. The whole of the plants and roots should then be burned, the soil entirely 

 removed, and before the house is again occupied with melons it should be thoroughly 

 cleansed, and a fresh start made with soil and plants from a different source. 



ENEMIES. 



There is no pest so common and injurious to the melon as red spider (see 

 Vol. I., page 269). The parasite may be introduced with the soil when the compost 

 heap is allowed to be overgrown with grass and weeds, and is too dry when used. 

 It is very necessary to commence with a clean house, thoroughly syringing it in every 

 part with hot water, well scrubbing the wood and iron work with soft soap and water, 

 removing every particle of the old soil, and thoroughly limewashing the walls. The 

 leaves should be scrutinised closely in the early stages of the growth, taking care to 

 have plants free from the pest at planting, and to sponge any infested leaves afterwards 



