152 Rerort OF THB BOTANIST OF THB 
results in values, under unfavorable conditions a gain of nearly 
45 per ct. was obtained, while under more favorable conditions 
the gain was nearly 95 per ct. 
Darluca filum has been abundant on asparagus rust for two 
seasons and has been found attacking the rust in all its stages 
except the black or winter stage. Thus far no apparent checking 
of the injury caused by the rust, by the attacks of Darluca on the 
rust, has been observed; nor has any checking of the spread of 
Darluca by spraying been noticeable. bah 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 
Thus far the results obtained from spraying.asparagus are 
marked enough to warrant the recommendation of spraying with 
resin-Bordeaux mixture in general as a means of controlling the 
asparagus rust. | 
It has been shown that on the test field, even with spraying, 
the rust destroyed the late growths of asparagus, with a conse- 
quent weakening of the plants. This in time would reduce the 
yield below a profitable point and spraying would only add to 
the expense of getting the reduced crop. Furthermore the work 
done brought out the fact that spraying asparagus thoroughly 
results in considerable expense and labor. Whether the cost of 
Spraying can be reduced cannot be stated until after further tests 
have been made. Even without considering the latter factors it 
is evident that spraying alone will not wholly protect the crop. 
Whether varieties will be found which will resist the attacks of 
the rust entirely, or whether cultivation and soil conditions will 
prove a check to the attacks of the rust are factors still to be 
proven. Hence in consideration of all these facts, spraying should 
be undertaken with the determination of doing it thoroughly; and 
with the expectation that the rust will gradually reduce the 
vitality of the field even with spraying. Possibly the selection of 
those varieties which show some resistance to the rust combined 
with proper attention to cultivation and feeding of the crop, 
including the use of vegetable matters with the fertilizers used, 
will aid in preserving the vitality and do much toward obtaining 
better results from spraying. 
