THE BACTERIAL BLIGHT 



161 



regions of the North, and it is possible that it is due to 

 the same germs as the bacterial blights and rots of vari- 

 ous other vegetables, such as celery, potato, tomato, etc. 

 ^^Soon after the plants are up, and usually by the time 

 they have reached out a foot or so upon the ground, the 

 trouble begins. The stem may become moist, in a man- 



FIG. 70. CUCUMBER LEAF AFFECTED WITH MILDEW. 



ner to suggest what is termed 'water core' in apples. 

 This may be close to the base of the plant, or midway 

 between that point and the tip of the vine. Sometimes 

 one leaf -stalk decays first, and the disease spreads from 

 it to other parts. Occasionally the free young end melts 

 away with the trouble. When tissue that is freshly dis- 

 eased is examined, it is found swarming with bacteria, 

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