V A O 11 1 ' C U L T DUE, GO 



themselves faster, or slower, as if induced either by 

 the atmosphere or condition of the plant, changing 

 color as they progress, until they assume a dark 

 brown, approaching to black, and until the Avhole ex- 

 terior is in like manner affected. When the disease 

 penetrates to the centre of the boll, fermentation is 

 universal, and is seen in a frothy, white liquid thrown 

 out on the surface of the boll, Putrifaction follows, 

 and the destruction of the seed and lint thereby be- 

 comes complete," It is very difficult to find out the 

 true-cause for this disease, as it sometimes appears in 

 dry as well as wet years, although it is generally 

 more destructive during rainy seasons. The young 

 bolls are often rotted as well as the half matured and 

 old, so that the age of the fruit does not appear to 

 have anything to do w r ith it, As to the theory of a 

 defect in the soil, it has been stated by some planters 

 that barn-yard manure will often produce it ; but if 

 this is the case, it is somewhat singular that one 

 plant may be badly affected by the rot, while others 

 on each side are perfectly healthy and uninjured. 

 This fact appears to show that a great deal depends 

 upon the constitution of the plant itself, which may 

 have inherited the disease from its parent, and a 

 choice of good mature seed, from strong, healthy 

 plants, may remedy the disease. The fungoid growth 

 found on the rotted boll may, perhaps, be regarded 

 more as the result than the cause of the rot. There 

 are three glands on the inside of the outer calyn, at 

 the bottom of the boll, and three on the outside be- 

 tween the rufflle and stalk, which secrete and give 

 out a sweet substance, which ants, bees, wasps and 

 plant- bugs avail themselves of as food. I have seen 



