The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-28
PLANT DISEASES.
INVESTIGATED BY CLEMSON COL
LEGE AUTHORITIES.
Specimens May be Sent In, and All
Farmers Asked to Correspond
With Officials.

With Officials.
commissioner Watson has receiv-
ed notice fro mthe bureau OF plant
industry OF the department of agri-
culture, located at Clemson cojleee
that arrangements have been made
Tor furnishing information to farm
ers on plant diseases. The letter to
Mr. Watson is as follows:
Hon. E. j. Watson, Columbia. s. G.
Oear Sir: At this season OF the
year almost every specie of plant ia
suffering from some form of disease
stch as rust, blight, wilt, rot, scab.
ieaf spot, etc. These diseases of
plants cause millions of dollars loss
each year. The amount of loss could
De greatly lessened however, if the
farmers would pay some attention
TO these diseased plants and send in
specimens to the experiment station
asking information with reference to
them
Two OF us here at this station are
deVotlng all Of our time and attention
to this special work and we hpoe nv
collecting data and giving out in
formation with reference to these
pests to aid materially in the ad-
Vancement Of agriculture in South
Carolina. The majority of plant
diseases can be controlled If you
know how.
! Send in specimens of all of the dis
eased plants on your farm. We shall
be glad to return information as to
the cause, and, where possible, to
advise you rs to methods of treat
ment, etc.
Note that this work is undertaken
In connection with the United States
department OF agriculture and that
no postage will be required. A
franked tag is enclosed herewith for
use by you in mailing specimens.
Note also the directions for sending
specimen plants by mail
Trusting that we shall have an
early reply from you, 1 am
Yours very truly,
H. B. Barre.
Botanist. South Carolina Experiment
Station, and Collaboration, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
Mr.. Watson said yesterday that he
would refer to this work by the de-
partment in every speech made be-
fore the farmers. In number of
cases the farmers have approached
Mr.. Watson with blights or some
form of plant disease with request
for information and these have been
referred to Clemson college but this
is the first time an effort has been
made to interest the farmers through
out the State in the work of investi-
cation. The following circular has
been sent out to thousands of farm
ers, showing the work done and on
application further information will
be sent:
Specimens should DE sent when
ever possible-In reporting on the
prevalence Of plant diseases, or in
any correspondence relative to their
! treatment, doubt in regard to the ma
ture Of the trouble will be avoided if
specimens are sent for examination.
= Use of the frank-Material pack
ed to conform to the postal regula
tions may be sent under official frank
without payment of postage when re-
quested by the United States depart
ment Of agriculture or by any COL
laborator or special agent Of the de-
|partment.
Limitations of the franking pri-
vilege-No package may weigh over
four pounds. Nothing should be sent
that can in any way injure other
mail matter. Liquids must be in
tight bottles packed in approved
mailing cases.
Select material with care-If the
plants are small, send them entire,
including roots. Loose drts should
be carefully shaken or washed Off
Sti.iplC5 VI lHC sui ilS lOI HcCueu,
and the dirt often injuries the speci-
mems in transit. Choose specimes
representing various stages of the
trouble In the case of many dseas-
es. the later stages are most needed
for Identification while with bacter-
ial diseases. stem blights. wilt and
diseases of the fruit the earlier stag
es are usually most satisfactory. All
stages should be sent. FIeshy or
moist, watery material likely to be-
come decayed Oh offensive while in
transit should be packed as dry as
possible. If the material is very
perishable, d.y completely or pre-
serve in alcohol before sending.
Care in packing is important to
make Identification easier. II the
specimens consist of leaves. straight
en- them out between layers Of news
paper. If they are stems or solid
PARTS, wrap in dry newspaper.
Fruits likely to be crushed should
be sent in small, strong boxes. Do
not pack moist AS rule. specimens
carry best if sent while fresh without
moistening the wrappingS. while an
excess of moisture causes mold and
decay. Never lay wet cotton against
specimens. as it sticks to them. IN
ccndjng several fruits. wrap each