The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1903-12-15
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION
A ROOT GALL.
Press Bulletin No. "a of the New
Mexico College Of Agriculture.

Press Bulletin No. "a of the New
Mexico College Of Agriculture.
The grape crown or root gall has
been discovered in a few vineyards
at Bernalillo and in the Mesilla val
ley. The disease can be easily recog-
nized 1t produces a sort of abnormal.
spongy, or wart-like growth on the
plant. In the earlier stages and dur
ing the early part of the season this
growth is light in color and quite
watery. AS the gall grows 1t. gets
darker and harder. It is found on the
roots, crown and tops of the vines,
The most common place OF attack,
however is at the crown of the plant
lust below the surface of the soil. AT
the crown the gals are not only
more common but more numerous
and larger han at any other part.
The disease does not seem to be
very Injurious at first and does not
materially injure the plant until the
gals have encircled the crown of
the vine. The gals. which are prac-
tically an epidermal growth, are cas-
lily removed by hand. Such treat
oo- hopvou0r 10 only nf tom nTQT V
good, since the germs are not all
removed. In a. short time new gals
appear practically in the same place
as the old ones.
This disease was first reported to
the. Experiment Station during the
past spring by Brother James, pres
ident Of the st. Nicholas Academy
of Bernalilo. who discovered it on a
large part of his vineyard. There is
very little known about the grape
root gall, especially in New Mexico,
but valuable information is o be-
ing collected. Mr.. G. G. Hedgecock,
an expert on gall diseases of plants
of the U. s. Department Of Agricul-
ture, is making a study of this grape
disease. Some treatment expert
ments are being started in Brother
James vineyard under the direction
of Mr. Hedgecock.
of vineyards at Bernalillo and Mesil-
la Park by Mr.. Hedgecock and the
writer, it was found that only a few
of them were infested. In every cas
the diseased, vines in these planta-
tons were plants of varieties bought
In California. On the other hand we
were unable to find a single Mission
grape vie diseased in all the large
vineyards of this grape. The chances
are that the Mission grape vines
have not the disease. for If it had,
undoubtedly it would have been OBJ
served by this time. Indications all
point very strongly that the grape
root gall has been introduced from
California with some of the vines
bought there.
While the disease is not doing any
material harm yet, except in one
vineyard, FIVE or six acres Of this
vineyard are practically ruined by
the disease. It is time TO think and
plan against this trouble before it
is too late. It is well tt mention in
this connection that since the dis
ease is usually found below the sur
lace it is practically incurable by
any of the ~fungicides now in use. A
root disease is always q difficult
thing to treat directly by the ordina-
ry remedies. Therefore the only
next best thing to do is prevention.
and that is the best remedy. 1t can
be kept out by not Introducing it in
to- our grape growing districts. This
means that great care should be Ia
ken in the importation OF grape vines
into the territory. Most of the for
eign varieties aof grapes come from
California and the disease is found
altogether on vines. brought from
there. AS a matter of protection to
d grape growing industry IL is
well and proper for those who intend
buying their foreign grape vines out
side OF the territory to look into this
matter and not introduce any more
diseased plants. Prevention is the
best remedy.