to occur in scores of minor vegetable crops as well. No attempt 
has been made to estimate losses in home gardens and other non- 
commercial plantings. 
Artichokes 
Globe artichokes are not subject to many serious diseases. Most 
of the losses are due to gray mold, a decay of older bud scales and 
growing buds which may also involve the stem and lateral branches. 
It also damages artichokes in transit. The causal fungus persists 
in the soil, and moist weather.is essential to infection. No con- 
trol measures have been developed other than crop rotation. Recently 
there has been some loss from curly dwarf, e virus disease that 
causes a stunting and premature death of the plants. No control 
has been developed for this disease. Losses occur chiefly in Cali- 
fornia, where most of the crop is grown. 
Asparagus 
Nearly all losses from disease in asparegus are caused by rust. 
This fungus effects the stems that develop after the cutting season 
is over and causes the needle-like branches to fall. This injury 
to the top growth reduces the storage of reserves in the fleshy 
roots, and consequently the vigor and yield of the plants the next 
year. The marketable portions of the plant, however, are not in- 
fected. Rust occurs throughout the United States, but is most 
severe in humid regions. It is partially controlled by the use of 
moderately resistent varieties. 
Wilting of the stalks and decay of the rcots also cause some 
losses of asparagus. No control has been developed. 
Beans, Fresh Lima 
Losses from disease are caused chiefly by seed decay, root rots, 
downy mildew, and the root—knot nematode. Root rot and seed decay 
are most damaging in the South, but occur wherever the crop is 
grown. Downy mildew causes some damage along the Atlantic Seaboard 
and occasionally in other sections. The common bacterial blight 
and halo blight of snap beans also affect lima beans, although much 
less seriously, and there is a bacterial pod spot. Rooteknot 
nematedes cause appreciable loss in the Southern States. Virus 
diseases are negligible. 
Seec decay can be greatly reduced by chemical seed treatment, and 
rotation helps to reduce losses from root rot. Fungicides will 
check downy mildew. The use of western-grown seed will] reduce in- 
jury from bacterial blight. Rotation is also the chief means of 
controlling the root-knot nematode because of the high cest of soil 
fumigants. 
LK) = 
