10 
Beyond doubt, the disease is peculiar to the South Atlantic aud Gulf 
coast within a limit of 150 miles from tide- water. (Note 3.) 
Mr. P. J. Berckmans remarks on this score — and 1 know no better au- 
thority — " that it is indigenous to a large portion of the South seems un- 
deniable, as I have seen it in places in Georgia and Alabama where 
neither trees nor plants had ever been introduced from other sections." 
Mr. Onderdonk also states a similar opinion. Other correspondents 
at Mobile, Ala , and in Texas confirm these statements. 
PLANTS INVADED. 
-Uncultivated : 
a. Slightly affected : 
Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shep- 
herd's Purse). 
Rubns villosns et trivialis 
(Blackberry and Dewberry). 
Eupatorium fcenicnlaceuin (South- 
ern Doy Fennel). 
Quamoclit , vulgaris (Cypress 
Fine). 
b. Badly affected : 
Portulaca oleracca (Purslane). 
Sesuvium pentandrum (Sand 
Purslane). 
Verbesina siegesbeckia et sinu- 
ata. 
Artemisia eaudata (Wormwood). 
Clienopodivmi botrys (Jerusalem 
Oalc). 
Amarantus spinosus (Careless 
Weed). 
The above list, no doubt, will in time, and with a careful investiga- 
tion, be greatly extended; most of these are the commonest of weeds in 
old fields and badly cultivated grounds, and the Chenopodium alone 
would be an ample shelter and breeding-place for the Anguillula, inde- 
pendent of other wild or cultivated plants. 
The Eupatorium and Chenopodium are perennials, spread rapidly, 
and have great vitality, and for years it has been noted that where these 
weeds abound the root-knot exists in the greatest degree. 
The Sesuvium and Portulaca, both with fleshy roots, are very com- 
mon, and are an easy prey to the worms, but my experience indicates 
the Amarantus spinosus as the most dreaded and destructive agent 
in the spread of the root-knot, its roots being apparently the favorite 
of the Anguillula. 
In Georgia, my correspondents deem the Verbesina and Artemisia 
the weeds most diseased, but in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, the 
list is about the same as I have given for Florida. (Note 4.) 
It will be seen that it will be impossible to determine certainly the 
original food-plant of this pest, as it seems to attack the roots of so 
many; and the inference that any tender growth not impregnated with 
a decided toxic principle may be invaded is a doubtful conclusion to 
mv mind. 
