Bean Anthracnose 103 



New York ranks first of all the States in the amount and value of canned 

 string beans, the United States Census Bureau (1913b) reporting 452,634 

 cases having a value of $839,135, or more than half the total value 

 for the entire country. It is assumed that nearly all string beans canned 

 in the States were grown within its territory. 



It is thus seen that the bean industry in New York and in the country 

 at large is an important one, and well worthy any attention that may be 

 given to it by the Federal Government and by the various experiment 

 stations. 



The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) becomes affected at times 

 by various diseases, among which the bean anthracnose is an important 

 one in New York State. Bacterial blight also occurs frequently on the 

 common bean and on the lima bean (P. lunatus L.), and was severe in 

 1916 and 1917. Root rots — especially the one caused by Fusarium 

 Martii phaseoli, though black root rot, caused by Thielavia basicola Zopf., 

 should be mentioned also — are causing considerable loss in restricted 

 localities and may be more prevalent than is generally known. Rhizoctonia 

 stem canker and pod spot, caused by Corticium vagum B. & C, has been 

 reported from a few places as being serious and is known to have a general 

 distribution. Bean rust, caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) 

 Lev., occurs occasionally, but does little damage in this State though it 

 is severe at times in the South and the West. Brown rot, caused by 

 Sclerotinia libertiana Fuckel, is destructive only during periods of extended 

 rains and warm weather, and then only on vines so bushy that they do 

 not permit good aeration. The leaf spot caused by Phyllostida sp. is 

 uncommon in the State, while leaf spot caused by Isariopsis griseola 

 Sacc. has not been reported here. 



In addition to the parasitic diseases just mentioned, mosaic, supposed 

 to be due to a filterable virus, should certainly be included because of its 

 general prevalence in the State and its apparently serious effect. 



The writer has devoted more or less of his time for the past ten years 

 to the study of the anthracnose disease and the manner of its control. 

 In the following pages he presents his opinions and those of others in 

 regard to the disease, and records the results of his experiments. 



