Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-02
Plant Diseases.

Plant Diseases.
At present there are no adequate Fed
eral inspection and quarantine laws
governing the importation into the
| United States of trees, shrubs, seeds,
bulbs, etc., which may harbor or carry
Injurious fungi and bacteria and such
State laws as exist are quite limited in
their scope. Consequently all owners OF
timber land, nurserymen, seedsmen, and
growers of plants of economic or orna
mental value should be constantly on
the alert to guard against the introduc,
tisn of new and dangerous plant diseases.
This caution particularly applies to in
dividual farmers. A few apple, pear or
plum trees, or small-fruit shrubs or
vines for the kitchen garden, or some
highly recommended seed potato tubers,
bought of some outof-State dealer or
imported from Europe, may be the
means of introducing new and dangerous
diseases of important Maine crops.
Such has been the case in the past and
such will be the case in the future unless
there is thorough and b, arty cooperation
among those who will be affected there
by. The stem and tuber diseases 0f the
potato, known in Europe as "black-leg
without doubt came in this way. In
1909 Maine narrowly missed the intro
duction upon Seeding pine trees) OF the
European currant rust which in one of it's
stages produces very destructive blight
Of the white pine. Now the wart uis-
ease, one of the most dangerous aud
destructive diseases of the potato tuber,
has crossed the A tlantic and has become
established in Newfoundland. 1t has
not reached the mainland of Canada and
the United States, but may do so at any
time. This disease, since il first ap-
peared in 1896 has spread over a large
portion of the potato growing sections
of Europe, and land where it appears
remains infected for an undetermined
time thereafter - at least six years or
longer
Farmers are urged 10 become familiar
with the characters of the common plan
diseases and TO be on the lookout for
those which may be new. Since the
dissemination and preva-
lence of plant diseases are primarily
matters of public Importance, the Maine
Experiment. Station will,
so far as possible, identify all specimens
of plant diseases which are sent accord
iug TO the following directions. 1t
remedial measures are known the sender
will be advised as to treatment without
charge.
HOW To SEND SPECIMENS OF DISEASED
PLANTS
Specimens should be sent whenever
possible. In any correspondence rela-
tive to plant diseases or their treatment,
doubt in regard to the nature of the
trouble will be avoided if specimens are
sent for examination.
Postage rate. Packages containing
specimens of diseased plants sent by
mail are rated as fourth-class matter and
require postage at tue rate of cent an
ounce (i6 cents per pound) No written
matter NAV be inclosed with the speci-
mems except the labels and the name
and address of the sender. The latter
is often written on the outside OF the
wrapper.
Limitations. 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. IT the
plants are small, send them entire, in
cluding roots. Loose dirt should De
shaken or washed OF. Samples
of the soil are not needed, and the dirt
often Injuries the specimens in transit.
Choose specimens representing various
stages of the trouble. In the case OF
many leaf diseases, the later stages are
most needed for Identification, while
with bacterial diseases, stem blights,
wilt, and diseases OF fruits, the earlier
stages are usually most satisfactory. All
stages should be sent. Fleshy or moist,
watery material likely to become de-
cayed or offensive W hile in transit should
be packed as dry as possible. If the
material is very perishable, dry COM
pletely or preserve in alcohol before
sending,
Care in packing is important to make
Identification easier. III specimens con-
sist of leaves, straighten them out be-
tween layers of newspapers. Specimens
enclosed in letters frequently become
badly crushed and almost always arrive
in poor condition for Identification. III
they are stems or solid parts, wrap each
in dry newspaper. Fruits likely to be
crushed should be sent in small, strong
boxes. Do not pack in moistened paper
or other wet material. As rule speci-
meus carry best if sent while fresh in
rather tightly wrapped packages to re-
-. xUlf NJ
ing the wrappings, while an excess OF
moisture causes mold and decay. Never
lay wet cotton against specimens, as II
sticks to them. In sending several
fruits, wrap each separately in tissue
paper.
Label each specimen. The name OF
the plant aud the place and date OF col
lection should be written on q slip OF
paper and inclosed with each specimen.
When the name of the diseased plaut is
not known, as in the case OF wild
species, send flowers or fruit or complete
specimens of healthy plants, If possible,
to aid in Identification. Ii the specimens
sent are mentioned in your correspond
euce, number them and refer to them by
number.
Each package should bear the name
and address Of the sender.
Sending by express. When material
is sent by express the cost OF sending
should always be prepaid. Packages
sent collect will not be accepted unless
they are sent at the request OF the
Station. All communications and spec
linens of diseased plants should be ad-
dressed to the Maine Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station, Orono, Maine.