294 VEGETABLE FORCING 
almost a consensus of opinion that the trouble will not 
appear to any considerable extent if the beds contain a 
constant and abundant supply of moisture. In this con- 
nection, Bulletin 214 of the Ohio Station contains the 
following statement: “It was stated in Bulletin 73 that 
this trouble was observed to be most destructive in cases 
of scant water supply in the soil. This observation was 
again confirmed by the horticultural department of the 
station during the season of 1899. The trouble was 
checked by abundant and careful watering, even when it 
had been very bad, and was again produced by with- 
holding water and allowing the plants to dry out. The 
cause appears to be largely due to conditions of drouth, 
and while other causes than the one just stated, notably 
a certain bacterium, do join to produce point rot, none 
other appears so under control as water conditions. The 
remedy lies, of course, in the avoidance of drouth from 
which the rot may indirectly result.” 
Brooks, who conducted some studies at the New 
Hampshire station, reached conclusions which were 
different from the views of Selby and other investigators. 
He reports as follows in the October (1914) number of 
Phytopathology: 
“1, The blossom-end rot of the tomato is not due primarily to 
bacteria or fungi.. 
“2. Plants are most susceptible when in a condition of great 
activity. 
“3. Either continued excessive watering or a sudden check in 
the water supply may produce the disease. 
“4, With liberally watered greenhouse plants potassium chloride 
increases the disease, and lime and sodium nitrate decrease it. These 
facts have not been found to hold true under field conditions. 
“5, Ammonium sulphate, dried blood and cottonseed meal have 
increased the disease more than sodium nitrate containing an equiva- 
lent amount of nitrogen. 
“6. Heavy applications of stable manure have increased the dis- 
ease out of proportion to the increase in vigor of the plants, 
