The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-22
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ANTHRACNOS IN PUTNAM.
Cotton Attacked by the New and
Dread Disease.

Dread Disease.
Eatonton, Ga, July 21.-Anthracnos,
that most destructive enemy of the
cotton plant, is abroad in the land. 1t
will be remembered that last year 1t
appeared in many localities in the state
and that great damage was sustained
wherever 1t was found.
While 1t is a new disease, and but
little understood, it has been noticed
to limited. extent by one or two OBJ
servant farmers in this county for the
past ten years. While some years it
would be very noticeable, in others 1t
would apparently disappear. Until last
year 1t has been very limited in scope
and mild in character. Last year, how
ever, it presented formidable front
and was widely scattered. In several in
stances great damage was wrought. In
one particular, especially the crop of
cotton that promised well was cut to
two bales to the pillow. In consequence
of its destructive nature, the farmers
are watching its temperance and de-
velopment with considerable interest
and dread.
In several important respects the
malady is more serious than ever. 1t
has made its appearance the present
year fully one month in advance of its
arrival last year. It's presence is de-
cidedly more general than ever be-
fore. Last year the eastern and
central portions of the county seemed
to have monopolized the unwelcomed
visitor. This year it is developing in
oil not ~ rRf he re-
advent this year dates back but a short
while, and, so far, its damage has been
slight but it spreads and develops rap
idly and does its deadly work we'll and
quickly.
The malady has received at the hands
Of experts much investigation, and no
little speculation, too, has been ex-
pended. but as yet 1t seems to be but
little understood. 1t has been called
kind of fungus growth-a disease that
resembles the brown rot or blight COM
mon to fruit trees. 1t is said to be the
work of no insect. The conditions that
are favorable to it's development are
practically unknown, for it has been
known not to, thrive one season under
conditions that apparently favored it
another year. Fertilizers seem to have
nothing to do with it, pro nor con.
Damp, low places that produce rank
6AON III III NOlbOiA are IO InOTG SuDJCCl
to tthe malady than uplands. The
character of the land plays no part.
The different varieties of cotton, ac-
cofding to last years experience, seem
to be affected differently.
The New Era" a variety largely
used in this country, seems to stand
the ravages of the trouble better than
other kinds.
The Agricultural Department last
year advised the farmer to secure their
planting seed from remote localities
where the disease was unknown This
several parties in this county did, but
without success.
The first appearance of the malady
is exactly as If the green boil had been
stung by an insect. A small puncture
$50 ii looks to the eye) in the outside
hull of the. boil is visible. Surround
ing this is a small purple circle re-
sembling a bruised spot.
1t might naturally seem that the
outer covering of the cotton boil would
first be attacked and con-
sumed, but not so. From this
small, bruised looking spot the
poison seems to enter the interior, and
to attack the lint. and. practically to
destroy 1t before the hull is even black
ened to any considerable extent. Its
work is usually complete.
What VIII be the outcome of the
appearance of the disease in this coun-
~ cannot be told as yet. II it con-
tinues to develop and its ravages are
in proportion to its widened scope and
increased activity, much damage may
be surely expected. No little anxiety
prevails among the farming popula-
ton in consequence of this terrible dis
ease against which they are powerless
to fight.