TOMATOES 



215 



FIG. 72. Tomato affected with anthracnose, 

 Colletotrichum phomoides. 



Cracking of the Fruits. This is a physiological 

 disease (Fig. 73) which is due to a variation in the 

 water supply. A 

 period of drought 

 followed by a period 

 of considerable rain- 

 fall causes the inner 

 part or pulp to grow 

 more rapidly than the 

 peel, and necessarily 

 causes the latter to be 

 ruptured. The only 

 remedy lies in a 

 thorough cultivation 

 or mulching. 



Dropping of the 

 Flower Buds, This 

 disease interferes with 



the setting and formation of the fruit. It fre- 

 quently causes much greater losses than the diseases 

 which are due to specific organisms. It may be due to 



any one of several causes, 

 such as (l) Unfavour- 

 able climatic conditions, 

 lasting from a few to 

 several days, which in- 

 terfere with the bloom- 

 ing and pollination. If 

 from this cause there is 

 no remedy. (2) It may 

 be due to excessive use 

 of nitrogenous fertilizers, 

 which may cause the 

 plants to grow too 

 rapidly, producing vege- 

 tative structures rather than fruit. This may be readily 

 checked by cutting out the terminal buds. (3) It may 

 be due to the attacks of certain insects. 



Fusarium Wilt or Sleepy Disease. - - This very 



FIG. 73. Tomato showing fruit cracks. 



