DISEASES OF GINSENG. 103 



ternaria, I was inclined to think that this might prove to be one 

 of the chief sources for the introduction of the disease into new 

 beds or distant gardens where seed might be planted. In an arti- 

 cle in the Cornell Countryman, November, 1906, 1 wrote: "Affect- 

 ed berries," shell from the head at the slighest touch. This 

 manifestation of the disease has long been known as "seed blast". 

 If the berries have begun to color, the injury from the disease will 

 probably be very slight. The "blasting" of the green berries, 

 however, will undoubtedly reduce or destroy the vitality of the 

 seed. There is a strong probability that the fungus may be car- 

 ried over in or on the seeds. "Every season since 1906 I have 

 sought for positive proof that the disease may be carried with the 

 seed. I have found none. That the fungus attacks the seed, even 

 the ripe berries, there can be no doubt Spores are readily found 

 upon diseased berries. Yet in view of the stratifying process, 

 through which nearly all growers put their seed before planting, 

 it is very doubtful, whether any of these spores remain alive to 

 infect the plants when they finally come up. If the spores are 

 kept perfectly dry, they will retain their vitality for two or three 

 months or longer, but in the presence of moisture and favorable 

 temperature, such as is provided during the process of stratifying 

 it is very doubtful, whether any spores would escape germination 

 and death. It seems quite certain that the fungus attacks only 

 the soft outer pulp and is not able to penetrate the hard 

 stony covering of the seed itself. As this pulp is all rotted or 

 crushed and washed from the seed shortly after it is gathered, 

 there is relatively little chance for the fungus to remain attached 

 to it. 



Furthermore, I have never observed an epidemic of the 

 blight to start in a seedling bed. Seedlings seem to be less often 

 attacked than older plants. In an article, June 1909, I wrote: 



