THE DISEASES OF CROPS. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The object of the present book is to give, in a concise 

 form, an account of the " doings " of the more important 

 members of the animal and vegetable kingdoms which 

 are injurious to farm crops. 



As the scope of the volume is limited, it is not proposed 

 to include the life-histories of the organisms which prey 

 upon fruit and forest trees, as these do not concern the 

 majority of British farmers. 



After describing the life-history of each " insect " and 

 " fungus " and their modes of attack, various methods 

 will be given for the prevention and cure (as far as pos- 

 sible) of each disease. 



By prevention is meant, those methods of cultivation, 

 etc., which will procure the production of strong, vigorous 

 and healthy plants, capable of resisting the attacks of that 

 " unseen mist of organic forms." 



By cure is meant a description of the various re-agents, 

 etc., which are capable of destroying farm pests without 

 causing injury to the crops themselves. 



The vine is liable to be attacked by some 350 parasitic 

 fungi in addition to the Phylloxera and other animal 



1 B - 



