FUNGOUS AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES. 481 



This, together with the injury occasioned by bumping the 

 fruit about, is certain to impair the keeping qualities. 



For washing the fruit, the cylinder-washer manu- 

 factured by S. C. Warner, of Palatka, Fla., is one of the 

 best. 



Treatment. No method of treatment for the fungus 

 alone can be recommended, the insects should be de- 

 stroyed and, if this be done, the fungus will disappear, 

 as the honey-dew provided by the insects will no longer 

 be present. 



Flyspeck or Sooty Fungus ( LeptotJiyrium Pomi 

 (Mont, et Fr.), Sacc.) The flyspeck fungus covers the 

 rind of the citrus fruits with a superficial sooty covering 

 of greater or less extent. Sometimes this covering is 

 almost continuous over considerable areas, while in other 

 cases it occurs in isolated, irregular patches. When the 

 rind is badly affected, it gives the fruit a blotched ap- 

 pearance far different from the bright yellow or golden 

 hue of the fruit. The blotched appearance is caused by the 

 sooty patches alternating with patches of unspotted rind. 



On the sooty areas, large numbers of minute black 

 specks, each about the size of an ordinary pin point, are 

 frequently found. Generally they are more .or less ag- 

 gregated. Sometimes these specks are found without any 

 accompanying sooty growth, in which case it may be con- 

 cluded that the sooty growth was at one time present, 

 but eventually disappeared, leaving only the small, black 

 spots. The sooty covering must not be confused with 

 sooty-mold, so common a companion of various insects, 

 as already noted. It is entirely distinct from it and the 

 flyspeck fungus is in no way connected with the attacks 

 of insects or their presence on citrus trees. 



17 



