CHAPTER XXV. 



DISEASES OF THE ORANGE IN FLORIDA. 



WINCE the early editions of this work some prog- 

 JO ress has been made in the successful treatment 

 of the diseases affecting the orange. The author 

 has been careful to read all that has been written, 

 and to keep up his habit of observation and ex- 

 periments in the interest of the growers of the 

 orange. This short chapter is added for their 

 benefit and at the request of many growers. 



The disease now most threatening and least un- 

 derstood is the leaf blight or curl. I first observed 

 this disease near Apopka City, in Orange County, 

 Fla. , during the year 1872. Having with me a 

 glass of high magnifying power I was led to sus- 

 pect the cause. The microscope established me 

 in my convictions. 



The cause, a microscopic fungus, so minute 

 that it cannot seriously affect the large branches, 

 as it cannot send its roots deep enough to interfere 

 with the tubes of circulation. Its damage to the 

 smaller branches is done by filling the tubes, for 



