704 THE farmers' handbook. 



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

 Bordeaux mixture promptly sprayed on the plants after the disease appears 

 will check it. Spraying, however, should be considered as a necessary opera- 

 tion in tomato-growing, and not be delayed until some disease makes its 

 appearance. For plants less than 8 or 9 inches high, Bordeaux of the 

 strength of 6 — 4 — 100 should be used. As the plants increase in size and 

 hardiness, the strength of the solution can be increased until 6 — 4 — 50 is 

 Aised. 



Fusarium Wilt or Sleeping Sickness. 



This is primarily a disease of the plant, caused by a parasitic fungus that 

 invades the vascular tissue, and by its action produces a wilting of the plant. 

 A plant that is attacked gradually sickens, loses its green colour, wilts, and 

 finally collapses to the ground. Plants are attacked here and there in the 

 field, and if a badly-affected one or a dead one be pulled up, the roots are 

 found to be decayed or destroyed by a dry rot. Several species of Fusarium 

 have been found to produce a wilt, one being Fusarium lycopersici. Other 

 species of Fusarium also cause progressive rots of the fruit. As F. lycoper- 

 sici is a soil dweller and a root parasite, spraying is of no value in treating 

 this disease. Good cultivation and long rotation are the chief preventive 

 measures. Pull up and destroy diseased plants at once by fire. 



Ripe Rot. 



Unlike Wilt, this is a disease of the fruit, appearing usually when the 

 fruit is ripe or nearly ripe. It is due to a fungus, Gloeosporium fructi- 

 genum, which may cause much loss after pulling, as the rot may spread 

 rapidly through the fruit, and also affect other fruit in contact with the 

 diseased fruit in the cases. Large, sunken, decayed spots appear which 

 become covered with small dark pustules formed in concentric rings, and 

 later the spots become white to pinkish, as the spores are produced and 

 forced out over the surface of the diseased area. 



The fruit should be handled carefully to prevent any injury, as spores 

 readily infect sound fruit if the skin be damaged. On no account should a 

 tomato showing signs of Ripe Rot be included in a case of sound fruit. 



Sunburn. 



Fruit sometimes becomes scorched by the sun, spots being formed that 

 at first are pale yellow, and later black. The spots sometimes resemble the 

 ■diseased areas produced by Ripe Rot, and soon become infected by various 

 fungi. Varieties with extensive foliage can be grown, or methods of culti- 

 vation adopted that will provide for the foliage shading the fruit. Plant as 

 early as possible, so that plants will attain good growth before the approach 

 of hot weather. Spraying will do no good. 



Spotted Wilt. 



This disease made its appearance in the State in 191S. It is now wide- 

 spread. 



The symptoms first noticed are curious bronzed markings on the young 

 leaves near the apex of the plant. These symptoms may be noticed in the 

 early stages, even in the seedling, but are commoner on plants about 1 foot 



