THE BACTERIAL BLIGHT 



161 



regions of the North, and it is possible that it is due to 

 the same germs as the bacterial blights and rots of vari- 

 ous other vegetables, such as celery, potato, tomato, etc. 

 "Soon after the plants are up, and usually by the time 

 they have reached out a foot or so upon the ground, the 

 trouble begins. The stem may become moist, in a man- 



FIG. 70. CUCUMBElt LEAF AFFECTED WITH MILDEW. 



ner to suggest what is termed ' water core 'in apples. 

 This may be close to the base of the plant, or midway 

 between that point and the tip of the vine. Sometimes 

 one leaf -stalk decays first, and the disease spreads from 

 it to other parts. Occasionally the free young end melts 

 away with the trouble.- When tissue that is freshly dis- 

 eased is examined, it is found swarming with bacteria, 

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