1910.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. ;U. 71 



cause '' guiniuo.sis." This trouble is ikiw being' studied in tlie 

 laboratory aud Held. 



The blosseni-eiid rot df tduiatoes, a dry-season disease, was 

 quite eouiuKiu, causing considerable injury. A lilx'ral supiily 

 of soil Jiioislurc during the period of setting fruit is the best 

 remedy for this trouble. 



The downy mildew of the cucumber and melon {VJa^ino- 

 pa?'a) occurred as usual duriug August and September, affect- 

 ing both out-of-door crops aud those under glass, while .1//- 

 thracnose {C olletotrichiDn ) was not so destructive as in some 

 seasons. 



The leaf spot caused by AUcriiarid was quite general on ihe 

 foliage and fruit of the nuiskmelon aud watermelon, but a 

 large field of rust-resistant melons was found on September 7 

 to be absolutely free from any l)light. Since spraying melons 

 for blight has proved to be of little value, it is desirable to use 

 types which are immune to the blight. The best method of 

 growing melons in this climate consists in selecting an early, 

 sandy soil, with warm exposure. The soil should be thoroughly 

 tilled, and the plants set out early, blight-resisting varieties be- 

 ing used. A location as free as possible from frequent dews 

 should be selected, and manure in the hills is superior to ferti- 

 lizers, since it gives the plant better soil conditions. It is best 

 to start the plants early in ])ots or strawberry boxes under 

 glass, and transplant to the open lield. jS^ative muskmelons 

 are far superior to the half-matured imported product, and a 

 ready market awaits the successful grower. 



Siiade-trep: Troubles. 



The rainfall during the early spring months revived vege- 

 tation in general from the effects of the se^'ere drought of the 

 preceding season. This stimulated trees and shrubs to assume 

 a healthy appearance and produce a good cro]:) of foliage. The 

 succeeding months, however, were very dry, and considerable 

 defoliation of shade and fruit trees occurred in June and July. 

 The long period of drought resulted in a premature colora- 

 tion of the foliage, and consequent early defoliation. 



Occasional high winds, with lack of soil moisture, caused 

 sun scorch, particularly to maples. Some of the defoliation, 



