VEGETABLE AND FIELD CROPS 



317 



There is no objection to the use of stable manure which 

 does not contain the fungus, but experience has shown 

 that when the wilt 

 once gains entrance 

 to the compost 

 heap or barnyard, 

 it remains there for 

 years, and all of 

 the manure taken 

 out of such a yard 

 is likely to spread 

 the disease. Hence 

 it is exceedingly 

 dangerous in re- 

 gions where the 

 wilt prevails to use 

 any stable manure 

 on the field where 

 melons are to be 

 planted. 



Varieties resist- 

 ant to this disease 

 have been devel- 

 oped by the United 

 States Department 

 of Agriculture by 

 crossing the citron, 

 which possesses high resistance, with the watermelon, and 

 then by selection attaining the desired edibiUty. 



Wilt, bacillose. See cantaloupe. 



Wilt, micosphaerellose. See cantaloupe. 



Fig. 137. — Portion of watermelon showing effect of 

 anthracnose. After Sheldon. 



