The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-03-01
R1,OT.KNOT.

In some localities in Florida it ID re-
ported that cultivators of deciduous
fruits, particularly peach growers, are
suffering considerable. loss from Q dis
ease affecting the roots Of these trees
which they term root knot" So sefi-
Gus is this disease At some points that
great fears are expressed in regard to the
future success Of an industry in that
State which has thus far given so much
promise.
The direct cause Of all this apprehen-
sion is a minute animal parasite closely
allied to and strongly resembling in e1-
ternal appearance, the so called vinegar
"eels." These parasites are named ne
matodes or thread worms, but so far as
we have any information, very little is
known of their habits or mode of devel-
opment. 1t is through their attacks,
however, that the knots or gals seen
upon the roots are formed. How the
attack is made or what becomes of the
worm after the roots have decayed is not
known. If a section be made through a
newly formed knot" small cavities may
be seen with the aid of hand lens.
These cavities are filled with ajelly-like
substance which, upon examination with
a compound miscroscope, is seen 70 con-
tain eggs within the nematodes are va
riously coiled and twisted, and perhaps
also some worms which have patched or
escaped from the eggs
There are number of species or kinds
of nematodes, and many Of our useful
and ornamental plants are subject to their
attacks. They do not always contine
their ravages to the roots, but may attack
the stem, leaves, or fruit of plants. Ear
cookie " or pumples in wheat, oats and
rye, is caused by them, and they are not
infrequently found affecting the seeds of
native grasses. Our garden vegetables
are sometimes smitten With these minute
pests, and many greenhouse plants are
destroyed by them. Not long ago our
attention was called to the dying OF
young clematis plants cultivated in the
greenhouse. An examination showed
the roots to be beaded with small knots
which closer inspection showed to be
swarming with nematodes.
Although few specialists have devoted
a considerable time to the study of these
organisms and have enumerated and de-
scribed number of distinct species, We
possess, as already stated, very little in
formation of any practical value respect
ing them. They are so little understood
and the effects of their work, when mani
fest, has placed the evil beyond remedy
that any discussion of treatment seem.
futile. In the case of fruit trees, it is
possible that some application may be
made to the soil, e. g., sulphate of iron
that will prove distasteful or destruc
tive to them. Watering the plants will
steepings of tobabco might have 6
valued effect; but at present all expert
ments in this direction can only be EN-
pirical.-E: L. Scribner, in Coleman.
| Rural World.
We had thought the root knot wal
caused by minute worm, as stated
above, but Mr.. Ed. Hurry, Of this place
has made repeated and careful examina
ton of the roots of peach trees afflicted
with the root-knot in different stages
and has not been able to find the worn
or trace him, although his instrument i
very fine one and Mr.. Hurry an abb
microscopic. -Florida Agriculturist.