60 
Coi^OKADO Experiment Station 
CURRANT 
Canker (Nectria cinnabarina) 
— A very common disease in Colo- 
rado. The first evidence of the 
disease is a yellowing of the leaves 
and a premature coloring of the 
fruit. After the canes are dead, 
small round pink cushion-like 
spore masses are formed. 
The spores usually enter the 
plant through wounds but after 
once gaining foothold it may 
spread rapidly causing much in- 
jury. 
Avoid all unnecessary injury to 
the canes and cut out and burn all 
diseased canes as soon as they ap- 
pear. Spraying is not recom- 
mended. 
White-Pine Blister Rust — see 
Cane blight of currants , and gooseberries. 
FLAX 
Wilt (Fusarium lini) (60) — Wilt is common where ever flax is 
grown for two or more years in succession on the same soil. Affected 
plants turn brown, wilt and die as if from lack of water. Plants may 
be killed at any stage. 
Flax wilt is due to a fungus that lives in the soil from year to 
year. The fungus penetrates the roots, grows into the water tubes 
poisoning the plant and cutting off its water supply. The fungus 
does not occur in new soil but is usually brought in on diseased seed. 
Since flax is being grown for the first time in many sections of the 
state it is extremely important that all seed be treated before plant- 
ing. Use about one-half gallon of dilute formaldehyde, diluted at 
the rate of one pint to forty gallons of Avater, to each bushel of 
grain. Sprinkle the solution and stir the grain at the same time 
taking x^ains not to get the seed wet enough to stick together. 
AIIoav the seed to stand for several hours covered Avith canvas. Pan 
to remove light weight seed and diseased flax straAV. 
If the soil has once become infected the best ])rocedure is to groAA' 
disease resistant strains of flax. Resistant stmins may be deATlo])ed 
