573 
Tomato Wi1T.—This trouble is caused by two different agents, 
viz., a fungus (Fusarium lycopersict, Sacc.) and a bacillus (Bacillus 
Solanacearum). The symptoms of both diseases are much alike. 
The first, which is known in the Channel Islands as the “ sleeping 
disease,’’ at times causes great damage. This disease is indicated 
by the drooping of the leaves, followed by that of the plant, hence 
the name given to it. If the plants are only attacked when the 
fruits are green, these ripen and there is nothing in their appearance 
to show that they are in any way infected. The fungus gains access 
to the plant through the rootlets and gradually extends to the tap 
root and lower portion of the stem. When it gets this far, a brown 
discolouration of the vascular bundles takes place, and the plant 
droops or “‘sleeps.”’ Shortly after this stage, says Prosser, the 
portion of the stem just above ground is more or less covered with a 
very delicate white mould which consists of fruiting branches or 
conidiophores, which bear conidia at the tips. These conidia fall to 
the ground and there germinate, producing a mycelium, which 
attacks the rootlets of tomatoes, potatoes, egg fruit, and plants of 
that family, owing to the mode of attack. Spraying with fungicides 
is of little use. Rotation of crops minimises the trouble, liming of 
the soil is recommended, and above all, seeds from fruit ripening on 
diseased plants should not be used. 
The ‘Bacterial’? disease of the Solanacez is very similar to 
the previous one. The foliage first wilts, then the plant collapses— 
wilts and dies without sign of disease upon it. As the germs are 
in the circulation and not outside, no external treatment is of any 
avail. A section of a diseased branch discloses a brown discolour- 
ation of the woody cylinder, and from the vessels ooze out yellowish 
drops carrying the bacteria. 
The disease is propogated by inoculation, dateuaie by nibbling 
insects, whereas in the previous disease the fungus cannot be inocu- 
lated on the stem or the leaves, and only enters the plant through 
the rootlets. In the case of the bacterial disease, spray with Paris 
green to check leaf eating and leaf-puncturing insects. Root up 
and burn all infected plants; do not plant solanaceous plants in 
quick rotation on the same ground. Destroy all Black Nightshade 
weeds on the ground intended for tomatoes or for potatoes as they 
are carriers of this fungus and bacterial diseases. 
Dr. Delacroix, Director of the Station of Vegetal Pathology, 
Paris, has described an organism connected with the disease in 
question, to which the name B. solannicola is given. The organism 
is believed to be present in the soil, from which it spreads to the 
plants and unfavourable meteorological conditions are said to 
aggravate the infection. Associated with it is a soil fungus, Rhizoc- 
tonia solani, whieh is an active parasite of the potato and the tomato 
plants. | Wherever soil disinfection is necessary against ‘‘blue 
mould ’’ which often proves disastrous to Tobacco seed-beds, the 
treatment suggested by Dr. Delacroix may reasonably prove satis- 
