22 The Colorado Experiment Station. 
Inasmuch as the germs of bacteriosis work on the outside of 
the plant, it is possible to reach them with a fungicide and spraying 
with Bordeaux mixture upon two and three-inch plants, followed by 
the same ten days later and again after blossoming. Dr. Halstead 
uses a Bordeaux mixture of the following strength: Copper sul¬ 
phate, 6 pounds; lime, 4 pounds; water, 60 gallons. 
Variety tests conducted by the New Jersey Experiment Station 
during the three years 1897-1899 with Green Flageolet, Currie’s 
Rust-proof, Early Mohawk, Golden Wax, Extra Early Refugee 
and Saddleback Wax, showed the Green Flageolet the most sus¬ 
ceptible, and the Early Refugee the least. 
WILT OF THE CUCUMBER, CANTALOUPE AND SQUASH. 
With the appearance of a rust resistant cantaloupe in 1905, 
the history of which has been published by Mr. P. K. Blinn,* one 
of the greatest terrors to cantaloupe growing disappeared. 
There is, however, a bacterial wilt which is frequently met with 
on cucurbits and which has been especially severe in its ravages 
upon the Hubbard squash. It frequently happens that the canta¬ 
loupe and cucumber are also attacked, the greatest damage occur¬ 
ring early in the season when the vines are just beginning to run. 
This disease is easily told from all other ailments of the cucurbits 
in that it is characterized by a wilting of the vine, pure and simple, 
without any visible external causes, such as rust or leaf spot. The 
symptoms are the sudden wilting of the leaves and runners as from 
lack of water or too hot sun, the runner becoming prostrate on the 
ground. From two to three days usually elapse before the wilting 
of the whole vine is complete and it is sometimes longer. It may 
remain in this wilted condition for several days, after which the 
leaves begin to dry up and ultimately die. Usually, one runner will 
die at a time, beginning at the tip and working back toward the 
root. There is no discoloration or other injury to the leaves; they 
simply wilt, dry up and retain their green color for considerable 
time. 
A microscopic examination of a cross section of a wilted run¬ 
ner, taken near the root, or from the root iself, will show the water 
tubes leading out into the wilted vine to be literally clogged with 
bacteria. Under such conditions, the plants can get no water from 
the soil and a natural wilting follows. A very simple field test, and 
at the same time a reasonably reliable one, is to cut off a piece of a 
wilted runner close to the root, cut it in two crosswise and gently 
squeeze the freshly cut ends between the fingers; a semi-viscid liquid 
will ooze out from the cut surfaces and if these be rubbed together 
*Bull. 103, Colo. Expt. Sta. 
