The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1904-03-16
TOMATO BLIGHT" AND
HOW IT CAN Be PREVENTED
FrOf. +. A. fiuntley of This City Pre-.
pares an Interesting Article
for The Herald

Al the request of The Herald. Pro-
lessor +. y. lluntlcy of this city. for
many years an instructor in the state
Agricultural college ut Moscow. Idaho.
and an expert on tomato growing. has
prepared the following article ON ito
mato blight At this time. in this
locality. shortly before the cultivation
of tomatoes begins, the subject i an
important one:
The disease popularity called tomato
blight is known in general way to
almost every tomato grower. 1t ha.
a peculiar development. its appearance
is generally n mystery and its treat
ment is very little UNDERSTOOD But Il
few years ago the nature of the dis
ease was not known. But now il has
become so thoroughly investigated as to
leave no question a TO its identity.
though a perfect treatment Of the dis
ease is still a question to be determined
Tomato blight, in common with other
such as the tree blight of the apple, j.
due to the presence OF Il low form of
plant life known a. bacteria, which
lives and develops within the plant
(,ap) of the plant attacked. There are
many forms of bacteria found TO affect
both animals and plants of the higher
i, i.
has its characteristic form. though in
general appearance. when observed by
the aid of powerful microscope. the
organisms of different diseases appear
similar. Quoting from an eminent au-
thority, DR.. Besscy. The organisms
known as bacteria are present in fer
menting and putrcfying matter, in the
blood and air PASSAGES of diseased ami
mails and i'll the tissues of some diseased
plants, where they have been shown to be
the cause of many kinds of disease"
These explanations could be cXtcndcd
tn great length, but enough has been
said to our purpose in pointing out the
nature OF Il germ disease
Now as to when and how such a dis
ease may occur. 1t is said that the
seeds of plants may contain the germs
of disease in an inactive state. As the
plant gyows an develops. likewise the
germs multiply within the plant body.
Or later. through some means of con
tact the germs are introduced rs in
consumption, typhoid and many other
diseases affecting animal life. II has
been shown that the germs of disease
may he present upon or within the It's
sues of an animal or plant and yet may
velopment. Such plant or animal is said
10 be immune or proof against GER
tain disease. \ strong, healthy indi-
vidual. whether plant or animal, being
properly nourished. and with all its
organs in vigorous and harmonious ac-
ton, is in condition To repel such at
tacks, while an impoverished system is
susceptible to the development of low
organisms. and disease results.
The application of these facts in rela-
ton to the question of how to treat
for tomato blight | will state in a few
general directions. BE sure that your
tomato plants are raised from vigorous
seeds. See to il that the young tomato
plants are nouri,hed in good soil with
all the elements of fertility supplied
in abundance Give them plenty of
room for light and air, 50 that the
tissues of leaves and stems may mature
in harmony with the age of the plants.
If grown to large size in a crowded
seed bed the plants cannot mature prop
erly. Transplanting at least once be
fore setting in the open field is nee