Family Cucurbitaceae 219 



The total area devoted to watermelons in the 

 United States in 1909 was estimated at 137,005 acres, 

 and the total crop valued at $4,453,101. The States 

 which lead in rank according to acreage devoted to 

 watermelon were : Texas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, 

 Indiana, Illinois, California, Oklahoma, North Caro- 

 lina, South Carolina, Alabama, Iowa, Arkansas, 

 Kansas, Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, New Jersey, 

 Mississippi, Kentucky, and Louisiana. 



DISEASES OF THE CANTALOUPE 

 (Cucumis melo) 



The cantaloupe is subject to numerous diseases 

 which often reduce the yield of the crop and en- 

 tail heavy money losses. Fortunately most of the 

 diseases may be controlled. 



BACTERIAL WILT 

 Caused by Bacillus tracheiphilus Ew. Sm. 



Bacterial wilt may be regarded as one of the most 

 serious diseases of the cantaloupe. It has a very wide 

 distribution, but it is said to be restricted in its 

 Southern distribution. The same disease also at- 

 tacks the cucumber, pumpkin, and squashes. The 

 trouble is not known to occur on hosts outside of the 

 Cucurbitaceae. Even in this family there are plants 

 which are not subject to its attack. Dr. Erwin 

 Smith succeeded in artificially inoculating the fol- 

 lowing cucurbits : Cucumis odoratissimus, C. anguria, 



