14 



other diseases, where infection is dependent upon the vigor of the 

 plant. 



Realizing that it would be well to get the idea of growers upon 

 certain points, we addressed a number of circular letters to various 

 parts of the State. Besides asking a number of questions in regard 

 to differences of infection existing between moist and dry soil, etc., 

 we incidentally referred to the dry seasons of 1895 and 1896 as being 

 the cause of the outbreak. A quotation from one of these letters 

 will suffice to show how these conclusions are regarded. Among 

 other things the writer states "Yours of Nov. 16 received with 

 pleasure and I feel that I have been enlightened much by its contents 

 * » * * J fgg] confident that the asparagus rust was caused by 

 dry weather." All of the data which we have been able to procure 

 fully justify these conclusions. 



Methods of Treating the Rust. 



At the present time little can be said in regard to a positive and 

 practical method of controlling the rust during seasons of severe 

 outbreak by means of spraying, although we are of the opinion that 

 it can be kept in check by other methods. Some experiments 

 have been made at different stations along the line of spraying, 

 and the practice of burning has been resorted to by various 

 growers. 



BURNING THE AFFECTED TOPS. 



The practice of burning the affected tops was recommended by 

 Drs. Halsted and Sturgis, and also by ourselves, as a possible pre- 

 vention from further infection. This method of treatment was 

 based largely upon a knowledge of the general life history of rusts, 

 as well as from the point of view of h3'gieuic principles. The burn- 

 ing method, moreover, has been tried in Europe, or at least recom- 

 mended, and as the rust is entirely new to this country we felt jus- 

 tified in adopting measures mentioned by those who have had the 

 rust to deal with for many generations. We have only recommended 

 the burning of infected plants late in the fall when they are 

 thoroughly dead and dried out, as it appeared to us by so doing we 

 would destroy millions of the spores and lessen the chance of infec- 

 tion next year. It must, nevertheless, be said that we have never 

 observed the slightest benefit from burning the infected tops at any 



