The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-25
TO SAVE THE CRANBERRY.
Experimental Bog to BE Built by the
Government at Washington.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record
The Department of Agriculture is plan
ming to build cranberry bog about half
an acre in extent, on a portion of the Ar
lington farm, recently turned over to it for
an experimental station On this investiga-
lions will be pursued into cranberry
scald,'' disease which is threatening with
determination the cranberry industry of
New Jersey, New York and New England
and which is slowly spreading into still
other parts of the country AS the regions
already seriously affected produce seven
eighths of the entire yield Of the country
which, a few years ago, was valued at
$2,OO,OO, the Importance of any measures
that Will check the disease are apparent
not only to the growers, but also to every
one who likes the berries in pies or with his
turkey.
Acres upon acres of ripe berries have re-
Gently been abandoned as not being worth
the picking, while nearly every quart
bought in market, though sorted over be-
forehand is likely to have in it a few her
ries with rotten spots on their sides or in
their interiors. Investigations by the de-
partment have now proceeded far enough
to permit the statement to be made that
this is due to fungus, which, probably
conveyed by the waters of the boys al
most certainly enters the plant through its
roots and penetrates to the berries, which
decay inside before any external signs ap-
pear. This fact makes useless the use of
washes, sprays, ETC., so effective against
most fungi, as these cannot reach the in
terror of the fruit. Possibly some chenicaI
may be found which, placed upon the soil
may kill the fungi before they enter the
plant. Strange TO say, however, this mode
of treating plant diseases has been little
investigated, and there is, therefore little
knowledge on which to base hope for it's
success. Probably the only successful way
of combating the disease-and the WaY
which the department is following as best
1T may, without special appropriation for
the purposes by studying the fungus
learning its life history and finding where
and when ii is most vulnerable
Enpe ii
are lowly plants, consisting of more or less
complex masses of very fine thread-like
chain of cells, which are usually too small
to be seen by the. naked eye. They repro
duce themselves by means OF very minute
bodies, known as spores, which correspond
to the seeds of Towering plants and which
are positively innumerable, and very easily
disseminated. When they find proper con-
ditions awaiting them they multiply with
amazing rapidity.
Now, far, it has been impossible to
find the cranberry scald fungus at all in its
fruiting season, that even its spore is
unknown. Possibly these mature only in
the winter when the bogs are flooded and
cannot do so at any other time. In any case
the first duty of DR.. c. l.. Shear who has
charge of the investigation. will be to find
some of these spores. He already has some
of the fungus growing in culture rnadia
and hopes they will bear fruit sooner or
later, although they have not yet done so
Once the spores are obtained a long step
in advance Will have been taken. Next thew
must be fed TO uninfected plants. either
at the Arlington farm or elsewhere. i'm
various ways and under various circurn-
stances. Some plants will be approac hed
through the soil; others through the water:
others through the air; some will be ex-
posed when leafiess, others when in foliage:
others when in bloom. The factors that
promote or retard the development of the
disease will also be studied. 1t will be as
ceruained whether young plants or old
plants are most susceptible. and what va
riety, If any, shows the best resisting pow
ers to the destroyer. When these things are
known, and not until then, can scientific
cOmbative measures be adopted
For the present. however. certain paIli-
atives may be suggested. If the spores are
disseminated through the food waters. as
is supposed. il is certainly unwise to start
new boys on stream below infected ones
unless some sort of sand or other filter is
interpOsed between the two. When an old
bog is to be reset all the old vines should
be burned with all other vegetable matter
present with them. The land should be
plOwed several times, and all the roots
taken up and burned
IL may be that recourse must finally be
had after ALL TO the use of what are known
as resistant strains. to save the cranberry
from total destruction. 1t often occurs that
one or more plants appear immune TO a
disease that destroys all their neighbors.
BY selecting these and propagating from
them, hardy varieties are often obtained
that can resist the disease This method
may finally prove the only one that is eff
fective.