292 Gardening 
proper examination will reveal the grubs burrowing in the 
stem near the base of the plant (page 333). 
Plants may also wilt badly from lack of water. One 
needs to recognize the various conditions that cause wilt- 
ing before deciding that the bacterial wilt is present. 
Muskmelons, watermelons, cucumbers, and squashes 
are all subject to attacks of this disease at any time during 
their growth. It is now a common and a very serious 
disease of vine crops in the United States. 
OTHER BACTERIAL DISEASES OF GARDEN CROPS 
A wilt disease of potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants 
caused by a bacterium is especially destructive in the 
southern states. 
A soft rot of the carrot and other vegetables is a com- 
mon and widespread disease and is caused by another 
bacterium. 
A bean blight, caused by a bacterium, is common on 
both the kidney and the Lima bean. Its presence is 
readily detected by the occurrence of water-soaked 
patches or swellings that appear in the stems, leaves, and 
green pods. The disease is seed-borne and there is no 
effective control, except the use of seed from healthy 
plants. However, treatment of diseased seed is some- 
what effective in preventing this disease. 
Before planting, soak the seed in a solution of mercuric 
bichlorid (1 part to rooo parts of water) for 15 minutes; 
then rinse or wash in pure water, after which spread 
out the seeds to dry. This kills the bacteria that are 
being carried on the seeds. As the solution attacks 
