148 THE ROMANCE OF EVERIFARM 



This year, however, everythmg seemed so favor- 

 able that there appeared no possibility that any in- 

 jury could occur. The weather had been ideal. The 

 warm days of the preceding week had been followed 

 that morning by a gentle rain, which had trickled 

 down through the mellow soil to the tiny rootlets 

 of the growing plants, and this evening the steaming 

 ground was radiating life and energy. This condi- 

 tion was most desirable for successful growth and 

 development, not only for all plants but also for all 

 kinds of organisms as well, and this evening if a 

 careful search had been made among the plants 

 a certain fungus disease could have been noted mak- 

 ing a most rapid development. The organism re- 

 sponsible for this condition is the subject of our 

 sketch. 



"I say! What is the matter? Why so quiet?" 

 inquired a fine healthy wheat plant of an adjoining 

 brother, apparently healthy and in fine condition, 

 who had taken on a rather dejected appearance dur- 

 ing the afternoon, and had been very quiet. Even 

 the rollicking breeze, as it swayed the heads of wheat 

 to and fro, had failed to generate any enthusiasm. 

 "Well, I just can't tell what is the matter. I really 

 haven't any apparent cause for worry, but there 

 seems to be something internal which is causing 



