CHAPTER XIX 



FAMILY MALVACEAE 



This important family has but one plant which is 

 of interest to the trucker, i. e. the okra. This crop 

 is grown more in the Southern States. It is to be 

 regretted that more of the people of the United States 

 have not as yet learned its great food value. Accord- 

 ing to the Thirteenth Census of the United States the 

 area devoted to okra in 1909 was estimated at 347 acres 

 and the value of the crops at $24,969. Of the few 

 States which grow this crop may be mentioned Georgia, 

 Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina. 



DISEASES OF THE OKRA (Hibiscus esculentus) 



Generally speaking, the okra may be considered a 

 hardy plant. But it is subject to a few diseases which 

 in severe cases may threaten the profitable raising of 

 the crop. 



Leaf Spot 



Caused by Cercospora hibisci T. and Earle. 



The disease seems to be as yet restricted to Porto 

 Rico. It is of no economic importance in the United 



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