Bulletin 62. 
14 
ditions that prevail, and for this reason the results may vary, 
according as one is fortunate in applying the spray at just 
the time when it may be most destructive to the fungus. 
The development of spores apparently takes place faster in 
late than in early season, which, no doubt, accounts for the 
greater rapidity of its spread later in the season. 
EFFECT OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. 
The season of 1899, being alternately wet and dry, 
afforded an opportunity to study the effect of weather upon 
the development of the fungus. When moist conditions 
prevailed, its spread was so rapid that it was plainly 
apparent, but dry weather at once checked it. 
The number of sprayings required, and the time at 
which the spraying should be done, will have to be regulated 
largely by the weather conditions. When it is remembered 
that there may be, under favorable conditions, many suc¬ 
cessive crops (so to speak) of the fungus, and that moist, 
humid conditions are the most favorable for its growth, the 
grower will have to be guided by the weather in choosing 
the time for making the application. 
The grower is mostly interested in preserving the 
leaves in the center of the hill, and for the purpose of doing 
this we think it well to give one or two sprayings about the 
time the vines commence running. The leaves in the cen¬ 
ter of the hill give protection to the major portion of the 
marketable melons. 
The season of 1900 was extremely dry and may be con¬ 
sidered as unfavorable for the blight as any season could be, 
and yet the disease was prevalent. While it did not develop 
to such a degree as to greatly impair the quality of the 
fruit in the majority of fields, yet in most instances there 
was more or less injury. In some fields the.shipping season 
was shortened fully one-half, and the product was of inferior 
quality. 
It is far preferable that weather conditions should keep, 
the disease under control every year, but as the disease was 
prevalent in 1900, the farmer must expect to be obliged to 
cope with it under the weather conditions that usually 
prevail. 
The farmer must not think, from what has been said 
in the preceding pages, that perfect immunity is secured by 
the use of the spray. All that can be hoped for is such 
control of the disease that melons of good quality may be 
secured, and the shipping season prolonged to near the 
