52 COTTON CULTURE 



DISEASES OF COTTON 



In the treatment of cotton diseases an ounce of pre- 

 vention is worth many pounds of cure. 



YELLOW-LEAF BLIGHT 



This is also known as the "Mosaic disease." The later 

 stages of this disease are commonly known as "black 

 rust." The leaves take a yellowish color, followed gen- 

 erally by an attack of fungus, which forms brownish spots, 

 finally becoming black. If dry weather continues for a 

 long period, the leaves curl and fall. 



Remedy. The disease is probably due to lack of proper 

 nutrition. The preventive is liberal fertilizing. Experi- 

 ments conducted by Prof. George F. Atkinson, showed a 

 considerable reduction of the disease from the use of kainit 

 applied as a fertilizer. Professor Atkinson also conducted 

 experiments at Auburn, Alabama, which confirmed the 

 view that liberal fertilizing with mixtures containing kainit 

 is an effective preventive. The action of the kainit in 

 conserving soil moisture is believed to have no little weight 

 in protecting the plant from the blight. 



RED-LEAF BLIGHT 



On this subject the following is quoted from "The 

 Cotton Plant": "The foliage of cotton frequently pre- 

 sents a red coloration, which is of the same nature as that 

 displayed in 'autumn leaves.' It is especially common on 



