STEM-END ROT—May appear in the field 
through wounds in the melon rind. Most fre- 
quent in shipments of watermelons. Infection 
takes place in the cut stem causing a dark, soft, 
watersoaked area near the stem. Decay pro- 
gresses finally shriveling the entire melon. 
TREATMENT—When packing for shipment cut 
off end of stem and paint fresh cut with paste 
made as follows: Dissolve ¥2 lb. copper sulphate 
in 3% quarts of boiling water (use enamelware 
vessel). Stir ’2 Ib. laundry starch into 1 pint of 
water and add to the above boiling copper sul- 
phate solution, with rapid stirring. Boil until a 
thick paste is formed. Make up fresh paste for 
each treatment (a carload of melons requires 1 
quart of paste). 
HAIL—Hail storms frequently cause heavy 
damage to various crops. All succulent plants 
and their fruits such as cotton, corn, watermelons, 
tomatoes, small grains, are affected. In addition 
to the above factors too much water in the soil, 
improper placement of fertilizer and high winds 
may cause severe and widespread damage to 
the crop. Little is known definitely concerning 
the control or treatment of injuries due to un- 
favorable climatic conditions. Maintenance of 
favorable soil moisture through plowing under of 
cover crops or the use of mulch may be helpful 
in certain cases. Affected plants should be 
pruned back after the injured parts have become 
distinct, to force normal growth. 
CUCUMBER BEETLES (Both Striped and Spotted) 
—These bugs are very deadly to most vine plants 
early in the spring and usually begin to suck them 
as soon as the plant comes out of the ground. Use 
a dust spraying machine (any kind). Mix one 
pound of arsenate of lead with twelve pounds of 
lime. Spray lightly underneath the leaves early 
in the morning while plants are moist with dew. 
Use just enough to slightly white the plant. Spray 
about every two days until plants are ten days 
old. After they are that old they cannot harm the 
plants. (See page 40 for Aphis control.) Get the 
bugs and lice early and you will have little trouble 
with them later. 
USE SABADILLA DUST FOR PUMPKIN AND 
CHINCH BUGS, GET IT FROM YOUR NEAREST 
SEARS ROEBUCK STORE 
ANTHRACNOSE 
Anthracnose is the most destructive disease of 
watermelons in the United States; being especially 
severe in the southern states it is said to cause 
more loss than all other watermelon diseases com- 
bined. The Anthracnose fungus can attack all 
parts of the watermelon plant above ground in all 
stages of their growth, but usually shows up on 
the oldest leaves first. The leaves show small 
black spots, which may soon enlarge until the 
whole leaf becomes black and shriveled. Many 
“Good Pure Seed from Grower to Grower” 
times, whole fields may show these blackened 
leaves in just a few days time. Often, however, un- 
der less favorable conditions to the disease, only 
the leaves at the center of the plant are killed, 
leaving the stem and a part of the vine bare. Dur- 
ing wet weather the spots on the leaves show to 
be an orange-pinkish color and are somewhat 
raised, while in dry weather these spots are gray- 
ish and less noticeable; however, these spots or 
spores are what spreads the disease in wet weath- 
er. This disease is by no means confined to the 
melon vine, but will attack the melon as well. 
When young melons become infected black spots 
appear very similar to those on the leaves. On old- 
er melons the disease causes small watery spots 
with greasy yellowish centers, which become ele- 
vated making the surface of the melon bumpy in 
appearance. To control this disease, it is very 
essential that the seed be treated before planting. 
For development after plants are up, possibly 
originating from untreated seed or from soil of a 
former melon planting, it possibly can be checked 
by the application of Dithane, Parzate or other 
materials at the rate recommended by the manu- 
facturers. Spreading of this disease can be greatly 
avoided by keeping out of the infected fields when 
the plants are wet, as the fungus is easily trans- 
ferred by walking through the vines. However, if 
you live in a section that is very prevalent to An- 
thracnose, we suggest that you plant your crop 
this year to the “Congo” watermelon which is 
definitely resistant to Anthracnose, but not en- 
tirely immune to this disease. See page 23 in this 
catalogue for full description. 
CUTWORMS 
Fat, colored worms 1 to 1% inches long cut off 
young plants near ground at night, hide in soil 
nearby during day. Put enough water in 5 pounds 
coarse bran to moisten, add % pint molasses 
and % pound white arsenic or paris green. Scatter 
mash thinly around plants in late afternoon. 
TWIST OF 
“f 
GIVES 
twine and raffia, to needless work with sheers. 
manently support annuals, perennials, vines, 
THE 
PERMANENT SUPPORT 
TWIST-EMS—strong dark-green “invisible 
shrubs and vegetables. Grand for flower arrange- 
New Handy Plant Tie 
Ce 
WRIST 
Say “goodbye” to unsightly 
tapes with wire reinforcing — protect stems, per- 
ment. Millions used by successful nurserymen, 
professional and amateur gardeners. Box of 125, 
8 inch size. 35¢ 
= WIST-EMS’ 
“We Cover the Globe” 45 
