418 MANUAL OF FRUIT DISEASES 
responsible for marked decrease in production such as late 
frosts, poor management and age of plantations. It reduces the 
crop by reducing the number of fruit-spurs. Buds are killed and 
leaves may die. From 2 to 50 per cent of the canes are lost 
through their brittleness; for when brittle they break easily 
while being put down in the fall or taken up in the spring. In 
New York the disease is far less 
ae injurious than in Colorado. 
Symptoms. 
The disease is first apparent in 
July. The lesions, one to several 
on a cane, are sharply defined, con- 
spicuous, and measure from one to 
four inches long and may half-way 
girdle the cane (Fig. 122). Spots 
are found on the nodes near the 
ground. They may also occur on 
the internodes and petioles of the 
leaves. An area about the buds at 
the base of the leaves becomes 
brown, the buds shrivel and become 
dry. The buds then are either 
weakened considerably, so that they 
make only feeble growth the follow- 
ing spring, or they die. In the 
former case the buds come out, but 
are small, soon turn yellow, and die. 
On account of this disease fruit-spurs 
may not be found for two feet above the ground. However, 
berries are produced on the upper half. Lesions on the nodes 
and internodes may coalesce so that the whole lower portion 
of a cane may become dark. ‘The affected bark splits lon- 
gitudinally, thus allowing the cane to dry out prematurely. As 
a result of this desiccation the cane is more brittle than 
Fie. 122. — Spur-blight of rasp- 
berry. 
