24 DISISASES OF ECONOMIC PLANTS 



PUBLIC PLANT SANITATION 



In addition to the means suggested above, which may 

 be appUed by the individual plant producer, much can be 

 done toward the eradication of these pests by the creation 

 of a more enlightened public sentiment regarding them. 

 So long as these diseases are regarded as natural, as inevi- 

 table, no progress will be made. When it becomes gen- 

 erally known that they are contagious, that they are pre- 

 ventable, steps to overcome them will be generally made, 

 and their increase checked. To create a much-needed, 

 enlightened, aggressive public opinion is part of the duty 

 of plant pathology. It may be done in several ways ; — 



1. By disseminating knowledge concerning the nature 

 of plant diseases, the damage they do, how to recognize 

 them, and the means of controlling them. This may be 

 done through the common rural schools, the high schools, 

 the agricultural colleges, the farmers' institutes, and other 

 educational channels. 



2. By instructive articles in the agricultural paper's. 



3. By collections of plant diseases displayed so that the 

 visitor may learn both the appearance and control of the 

 important ones. 



Legislation which shall guard against shipment of any 

 infectious material should be enacted and enforced. With 

 all the advances of the past twenty years in the control 

 of plant diseases we have but barely kept pace with their 

 increase. Diseases will continue to increase for some 

 decades yet, if not indefinitely, and increased efforts to 

 control them are necessary on the part of the crop producer. 

 At present many wise laws prohibiting the shipment of 



