256 



Solanaceous Fruits 



Early blight (Altcrnaria sohini). Late blight {Phytoph- 

 thora infestans). — Control: Spray as in the case of septoria 

 leaf-spot. 



Leaf-mold {Cladosporium fulnnn). — Irregular areas on the 

 leaves bearing on the under surface a purplish green mold 

 are characteristic. This is primarily a greenhouse disease. 

 Control: Care in ventilating and watering is important. Spray- 

 ing with bordeaux, though usually recommended, is of doubt- 

 ful value. 



Blossom-end rot. — Affected fruits are marked before matu- 

 rity with a sunken blackened area at the blossom end. Con- 

 trol: Unfavorable environmental conditions are thought to occa- 

 sion this trouble. Maintenance of a uniform water supply 

 may reduce its occurrence somewhat. 



Mosaic. — A mottled appearance of the leaves due to alter- 

 nate light and dark green areas is characteristic. Affected 

 leaves may be curled and abnormal in shape. Control: Dis- 

 eased seedlings should be discarded as soon as they appear, 

 care being taken in pruning and handling not to go from af- 

 fected to normal plants, as the disease is communicable. Con- 

 trol of insects is important, as they may serve in disseminating 

 the virus. 



Tomato worms (Phlegefliontius quinquemaculata and P. 

 scrta). — Large green or brownish caterpillars. 3 or 4 in. long, 

 provided with a sharp horn at the hind end of the body. The 

 adult is a large ash-gray or brownish gray moth marked with 

 irregular brown and lilack lines. The pupa is dark brown, 

 about two inches long, and the sucking tuV»e of the future moth 

 is enclosed in a separate case and resembles the handle of a 

 pitcher. Control: Hand-picking is the most practicable means 

 of control. Spray with arsenate of lead (paste). 2 or 3 lbs. 

 in 50 gals, water. Spray early, while the caterpillars are still 

 small. There is no danger in spraying tomatoes till the fruit 

 is half grown. The poison may also be applied in the form 

 of a dust. 



Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) . — See 



