Diseases of Vegetables 1337 



disease attacks mainly weak plants and can be largely avoided by 

 Obtaining a strong vigorous growth. Soil sterilization is prob- 

 ably of little or no value. 



Sclerotinia Rot (Sclerotinia libertiana Fuckel). This disease 

 appears to be of minor importance in this state. Attacked plants 

 verv quickly collapse into a soft slimy mass. It is caused by the 

 same fungus as celery pink rot and can be recognized by the 

 mold and fungus resting bodies mentioned under that heading. 

 The disease can be practically eliminated from both greenhouse 

 and outdoor beds by the early removal and destruction of affected 

 plants in each crop. Soil sterilization is effective. 



MUSKMELON OR CANTELOUPE 



The important diseases are, with the exception of white pickle, 

 the same as of cucumber and the same remedies are effective. 



ONION 



Smut (Urocystis cepulae Frost), Fig. 303. This disease is 

 destructive in many localities where onions have been grown for 

 several years with little or no rotation. It attacks only onions 

 grown from seed. Black streaks occur in leaves and bulbs, which 

 when broken open are found to be filled with a dark powder 

 similar to the smut powder of the familiar grain smuts. The 

 disease is caused by a fungus which gains entrance to the young 

 seedlings from the soil. 



The application of a weak formaldehyde solution in the furrow 

 with the seed at planting time is a satisfactory and extensively 

 used remedy. The solution is made at the rate of one pound of 

 40 per cent, formaldehyde to 25 gallons of water. It is applied 

 at the rate of 150 gallons or more per acre by means of a can and 

 delivery tube attached to the seed drill. Heavy rains within 24 

 hours after planting may greatly reduce the efficiency of the 

 treatment. A mixture of 100 pounds powdered sulphur and 50 

 pounds lime, drilled into the furrow with the seed, is of value, but 

 in general less efficient than formaldehyde. 



Blight (Peronospora sehleideniana De Eary). This is a fun- 

 gous disease similar to potato blight. Thorough spraying at 

 reaular intervals of about ten davs with bordeaux. 5-5-50, con- 



