FAMILIAR FARM ENEMIES 
273 
are usually caused by fungi which cannot be seen unless 
they are highly magnified. The brown rots of peaches 
and plums, as well as the rots of many vegetables are 
caused by fungi. 
Wilts and blights do much damage to our crops. Cot¬ 
ton wilt has caused a loss of more than $30,000,000.00 in 
Fig. 193.—Fleshy fungi. 
A. Bracket fungus. E. Puffball. 
B. Toad stool. F. Staghorn fungus. 
C. Sponge mushroom (edible). G. White rot fungus. 
D. Leathercup. 
one year, in the United States. The fungus grows into 
the roots and causes them to decay. The result is the 
wilting of the cotton plant. Pear and apple trees are 
“blighted” by the attacks of bacteria in the tender stems. 
They are recognized by the black leaves and stems dur¬ 
ing the month of May or June. Cucumbers and water¬ 
melons wilt as a result of the fungi which grow upon 
them. 
