Diseases of Economic Plants

Abstract

THIS book is primarily intended for those who wish to recognise—without having recourse to the microscope—and then to combat fungous diseases of cultivated plants. Descriptions are given of the prominent characteristics of the most destructive diseases of fruit and vegetables cultivated in the United States, as well as information regarding the latest methods of prevention or cure. All the best bulletins of the numerous State agricultural experi mental stations and of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been examined for facts; the authors have had the help also of various specialists in reading over the proofs of certain parts, e.g. Dr. Erwin F. Smith has thus assisted with the bacterial diseases, Dr. L. R. Jones with potato diseases, and so forth. Short, clear, scientific descriptions are given of the various life-stages of the species of fungi causing plant diseases; these are accompanied by practical advice as to the methods to be employed against each stage by the grower. In many cases, e.g. in that of the onion “smut” and of the “common scab” of the potato, and of the various diseases of the apple, the account given is a model of what should be provided by the man of science for the practical man. Clear directions are given for the making and application of fungicides, and also useful information on the subject of spraying machinery. It would have been well, however, to have supplied fuller information on the subject of “Bordeaux in jury,” and how it may be avoided. Practical details are given of the disinfection of seeds by the use of formaldehyde gas, and the various methods of soil disinfection are discussed. It is pointed out that the presence in land of such ineradicable soil diseases as the melon, cowpea, cotton, or tobacco “wilt,” onion “smut,” cabbage “black rot,” &c., may result in a depreciation of 50 per cent, or more in the market value of the land. In dealing with many of the diseases of cereals, pea, bean, lettuce, celery, potato, carnation, violet, asparagus, grape, strawberry, and other fruits the authors are not content with merely stating that “resistant” varieties or “strains” should be grown hut in all cases mention the names of such “resistant” varieties obtainable on the market. Such practical information is likely to be of great value to the market grower or gardener; it must be admitted that such assistance as this is not yet able to be given in this country, except in a few cases, by the man of science to the grower.

Diseases of Economic Plants.

By Prof. F. L. Stevens J. G. Hall. Pp. x + 513. (New York: The Macmillan Co.; London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1910.) Price 8s. 6d. net.