VEGETABLE AND FIELD CROPS 



313 



weather damp. Often it is still better to begin spraying 

 in the seed bed. 



Southern blight (Sclerotium Rolfsii Sacc. in litt.). — 

 This is the same disease discussed under pepper. Upon 

 the tomato it is often completely destructive in the south- 

 ernmost states. 



The first sign is wilting of the terminal portion of the 

 plant, distinguishing this 

 trouble from the fungous 

 wilt, which commences 

 with the lower leaves. 



For discussion and 

 treatment see pepper. 



Anthracnose [Colletotri- 

 chum phomoides (Sacc.) 

 Chest.). — -This is chiefly 

 a disease of the ripe fruit, 

 either upon the vines or 

 after harvest. It appears 



as sunken, discolored spots with wrinkled surfaces and black 

 specks, the acervuli. The disease does much damage to 

 fruit before it is picked, and also injures the keeping quality. 



Fumagose {Fumago vagans Pers.). — Dense, olive-black 

 growths of mold form upon the leaves, but little or no 

 harm is done. 



Damping off. — Tomatoes in the seed bed are subject to 

 damping off. 



(Edema. — This is a condition of overgrowth of certain 

 cells of the plant, causing swelhng of veins and leaf tissues, 

 and curling of the leaves in irregular growth. Usually 

 confined to the greenhouse, it is caused by excess of water, 



Fig. 136. — Tomato anthracnose. 

 Heald. 



After 



