Journal of Mycology 
[Vol. 12 
A NEW ANTHRACNOSE OF ALFALFA AND RED 
CLOVER 
SAMUEL M. BAIN AND SAMUEL H. ESSARY 
In a preliminary note on clover diseases in Tennessee 
[Science, N. S. 17:503, 1905], we announced the discovery of a 
new clover disease in this State; caused by an undescribed spe¬ 
cies of Colletotrichum. Experiments have been under way for 
some time with a view to working- out the life history of the 
fungus, as well as to the breeding of a resistant strain of clover. 
We have apparently succeeded in our effort to secure resistance, 
while our work on the life history of the fungus is as yet in¬ 
complete. This necessitates the publication of a Bulletin on the 
breeding experiments and economic aspects of the disease before 
the final publication on the biological relations of the parasite 
producing it; hence, we thought best to publish here a description 
of the species. 
After the publication of the above mentioned preliminary 
note, we had opportunitv to compare notes and specimens with 
Mrs. Flora W. Patterson of the U. S. Department of Agricul¬ 
ture, to whom a similar species occurring on alfalfa had been 
submitted by Mr. J. M. Westgate. The two forms appeared to 
be taxonomically identical, and our further field observations 
during the summer of 1906 support this view. Our knowledge 
of its injury to alfalfa is quite limited, though the disease oc¬ 
curred rather abundantly on this plant here this year. In Vir¬ 
ginia, where the disease was first found on alfalfa by Mr. West- 
gate, it is said to have caused serious damage to the crop. 
There has been considerable complaint on the part of the far¬ 
mers in Tennessee of the difficulty of securing a stand of alfalfa, 
and it is quite probable that this disease is at least partly re¬ 
sponsible for the trouble. 
The devastation caused in clover fields by the disease here 
in Tennessee is remarkable. It occurs over the entire state, but 
appears to be much worse where clover has been cultivated for 
many years. In fact, our observations thus far would justify the 
statement that it is the most serious plant disease occurring in 
this State. 
The geographical extent of this anthracnose will be a matter 
of interest. We have observed it at one point each in Arkansas 
(Clarendon) and Kentuckv (Hopkinsville). Its occurence in 
Ohio and West Virginia is stated in the Yearbook of the De¬ 
partment for 1905; hence, it is probably widespread over the 
country. 
There appear to be in the case of clover two critical periods 
when it is especially susceptible to the disease. The first is when 
