PREVENTION OR CURE OF PLANT DISEASES 



The burden of the efforts of the plant pathologist must 

 be directed toward methods of_ pre:tention, which are 

 here worth far more than their proverbial ratio, since, 

 owing to the comparatively small value of the individ- 

 ual among plants, treatment of a plant already sick is 

 seldom attempted except in the case of plants of ex- 

 ceptional value. Such value very rarely attaches to an- 

 nuals or biennials; hence it is only with perennials, 

 valuable vines, bushes, or trees that cure of the in- 

 dividual is attempted, and here only in a few special 

 cases. 



The science of plant pathology, barely antedating 1880, 

 is yet young. Several of its founders in America are living 

 and are still vigorous workers. In comparing this youthful 

 science with its far more aged prototypes, human and vet- 

 erinary medicine, one is astonished at the progress already 

 made, rather than abashed at the multitude of diseases as 

 yet unconquered.«» 



Among all classes of crops are diseases, single or many, 

 which have given way to the control of man, many of them 

 diseases of great destructiveness, yet which are now prac- 

 tically under the subjugation of the intelligent, educated 

 crop producer. 



The remedies, with one or two exceptions, are entirely 

 the result of patient, scholarly investigation, careful de- 

 duction, followed by experimenting, testing, and improving. 

 Such investigation is ever proceeding with increasing ac- 

 tivity, and each year, new or improved methods of combat 

 are devised, so that the future may with confidence be 

 relied upon to see the subjugation of many of the foes that 

 are as yet unconquered. 



13 



