240 Diseases of Truck Crops 



in the field before loading. The disease incubates 

 while in transit and makes its appearance when 

 the assigned shipment reaches its final destina- 

 tion. 



The Organism. The organism which causes stem 

 end rot of watermelon is the same which is re- 

 sponsible for the Java black rot of the sweet 

 potato. This has been proved by Meier and by 

 the writer. For further discussion of the fungus, 

 see p. 165. 



Control. Diplodia tubericola may easily live over 

 from year to year on the cull melons left in the field, 

 on the sweet potato refuse or on any other trash. 

 Therefore infected culls and refuse should be de- 

 stroyed. In hauling melons to the car, only wagons 

 with springs should be used. The cars should be 

 carefully swept and cleaned before loading. Rough 

 handling or bruising should be avoided as much as 

 possible and only sound melons should be loaded in 

 the car. The fruit should be carefully packed so as 

 to avoid bruising from shaking when the cars are 

 moved. 



Anthracnose 



Caused by Colletotrichum lagenarium (Pass.) E. 

 and H. 



Anthracnose is a disease the seriousness of which 

 depends on weather conditions, it thriving best dur- 

 ing hot, moist weather. It is very prevalent in many 



