Gilpin observer., 1900-06-28
FARMING MATTERS.
BAD FOR cANrALouPEs.
Farmers Fighting Strange Fungus That
Blights tho Crop.

Blights the Crop.
A peculiar and fatal disease has at
tackled the cantaloupe vines Of the
Rocky Ford country and up to the
present time no sure cure has been dis
covered. AS n consequence the fruit
Is likely to be higher in price this year
than ever before and a scarcity may
even exist. m
H. II. Griffin of the Arkansas Val
ley substatiOn of agricultural expert
ment has just issued some valuable
information ON how to treat the blight.
He says the first evidences of the dis
ease were noticed in 1896, with increase
in 1897 in the same fields. gradually in
creasing and spreading from few
dell-defined centers, lessening as the
distance grew between these places.
Investiga lions began in 1898. In 1899
Professor Crandall pronounced it a
new species of fungus known as ma
crosporium cucumerium."
Mr. Griffin des cribes the disease as
follows:
1.-The cantaloupe blight is caused by
n true parasitic fungus. To the cas-
ual observer the first appearance is n
large number of small brown spots
upon the leaves in the center of the hill.
If the younger leaves are examined it
will be seen when the fungus is at
work some time before the brown
spots make their appearance. 1t can
be seen when the leaf tissue has been
eaten away, and when the injured It's
sue dies the brown appearance occurs.
These Lrown spots grow larger as the
fungus kills the tissue. until they be-
come so numerous as to envelop the
whole leaf; 1t appears as though struck
by frost 1t Is surprising how quickly
the spray will prevent the enlargement
of these spots upon the leaf. At the
time spraying is required the melon
vine Is making quite rapid growth,
which necessitates spraying at inter-
walls in order to cover the new growth"
Experiments to kill the disease have
not been successful but the result of
spraying as described by Mr.. Griffin
has been very promising and prevent
ed the destruction of one of the most
profitable Industries of the Rocky Ford
country.
''The Bordeaux mixture was applied
to one-eighth acre of melons belonging
to Senator Swinll, one acre for John
Deweese and one and three fourths
acres for G. S. FenlasOn.
'Only one application was made at
these places. These sprayings were
done late in the season, when the blight
was spreading rapidly. These melons
were surrounded by others which were
blighting badly.
''The work confirmed the result of
other trials. Mr.. Fenlason sold 300
crates of good melons from his sprayed
field.
''The virtue of the spraying lies large
ly in the ability of the melons to rip
EN- properly, |. e., to perfect the quail
ity; the benefit is not alone to the vine.
1T took twenty-five pounds of blue
stone to spray the vines at Mr.. Fen
lason's, which were very large. The
estimated cost was $6.75 per acre. Had
the work been done earlier the cost
would have been much less"
Three sprayings are recommended
by Mr.. Griffin if the season is favora-
blel to the disease. The first about
the middle of July, followed by inter
walls of ten days between each. The
Bordeaux mixture he gives as follows:
dissolve six pounds of bluestone
or sulphate of copper and slack four
pounds of fresh lime. Strain Off the
milk of the lime when cool and add
to the bluestone. Add water until
there are forty gallons of the solution"
Professor g. p. Gillette Will soon is
sue bulletin on Experiments in the
Apiary?' copies of which can be OBJ
I tained from the director of the expert
ment station Mt Fort Collins.