Tomato. 371 



spot increases in size until fully half of the tomato is destroyed. 

 The diseased part is black and sunken, and generally extends 

 squarely across the tomato from side to side (Fig. 91). The 

 warm moist weather of summer appears to be particularly 

 favorable to the development of this parasite. 



Treatment. Very thorough spraying with the Bordeaux mix- 

 ture, or other copper compound, is perhaps the best preventive. 

 If possible, a dry location should be selected for growing the 

 plants, and the stems should be kept free from the ground. 



FIG. 91. Tomato rot 



Two other serious diseases of the tomato are also known, but 

 as they are probably caused by bacteria, no remedies can as yet 

 be named. It is probable that one of these organisms is the 

 first cause of the rotting of tomatoes above described. 



INSECT ENEMIES. 



Tomato Worm (Phlegethontius celeus, Hbn.). Description. 

 The larvae of this moth are fully three inches in length when 

 grown. They are of a green color, but have a few nearly white 

 markings on each side of the body. They devour an enormous 

 amount of foliage, and can be discovered by the bare places 

 among the plants. Early in September the larvae enter the 

 ground to pupate, and here they remain until the following 

 summer, when the moths appear. These belong to the Sphinx 



