Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-05-08
Mistellausous Reaaina,
TOMATO DISEASES
Agricultural Department Tells How
They are to be Handled.

There are a number Of diseases
which cause injury to tomatoes. The
most prevalent and the most destruc-
tive ones which occur in this state are
the willis. There are two different
wilt diseases which we frequently
meet In gardens and in fields where
tomatoes are grown. Probably the
most widespread and destructive one
is a bacterial wilt.
Bacterial wilt Is readily recognized
by the way that the disease affects the
plants. The disease begins with the
leaves at the top Of the plants or at the
ends Of the branches. These leaves wilt
first and the disease gradually works
it's way back until the entire plant
willis and dies. The bacteria which
causes the disease will live in the old
diseased plants and In the soil for
years. They work in the water ducts
and vessels Of the stem and roots of
the plant and plug these vessels up to
such an extent that the circulation is
cut off.
The disease is spread during the
growing season by leaf eating insects,
and by bacteria being carried by the
wind and water from the old diseased
plants to healthy plants. When the
disease first appears, the diseased
plants should be pulled up and burned.
AS a preventive measure the tomatoes
should be sprayed with arsenate of
lead at the rate of lb. plaster or ! Id.
powdered arsenate Of lead to IL gal. of
Bordeaux mixture.
The fungus will also cause disease
by plugging up the vessels and water
ducts Of the stems and roots, but in
this case the disease practically al
ways starts in through the roots from
the soil and the lower leaves and
branches show signs Of the disease
first. The lower leaves will turn yell
low and usually wilt more gradually
than where the plant is affected with
bacterial wilt. The fungus which
causes this wilt remains alive in the
soil for number Of years so that 1t
will be necessary to leave tomatoes OF
the land for five or six years. Spray
ing does not seem to help in controll-
ing the fungus wilt. The diseased
plants should be pulled up and burn
ed, and the succeeding crop should be
planted on land where tomatoes have
not been grown before.
There are several other destructive
diseases Of tomato which occur on the
leaves and young stems. These are
known as leaf spots or leaf blights
and can be controlled by the applica-
ton Of Bordeaux mixture where these
occur it is well to spray the tomatoes
one time while they are still In the
bed. After transplanting, they should
be sprayed every two or three weeks
until the majority Of the tomatoes are
ripe. This same spray will prevent the
fruit rots, and IL the arsenate Of lead
Is added. 1t will tend to prevent the
ripe This same spray will prevent
spread of bacterial wilt. For this pur-
Il lb. copper sulphate or blue stone,
and / lb. Of quick lime to II gal. of
water.
Another very serious trouble with
tomatoes Is root knot. This Is recog-
nized by the knots or gals which ap-
pear on the roots Of the plants. These
knots are caused by a spe,ies or eel
worm or nematode which is quite com
mon and widespread. The same spe-
cies Of nematode causes knot (root
knott on great variety OF plants.
Where this disease occurs, 1t will be
necessary to practice rotation which
will leave all Of the common garden
vegetables and all other crops with the
exception Of corn, small grain, and the
two resistant varieties Of cow peas
the Iron and the Brabham-of the
land for two years. Where this Is done
tomatoes can be planted back on the
land again. See Bureau o, Plant In
dustries Bulletin PIT and Circular 90.
Bordeaux Mixture.
In B. NJ, copper Is the active agent
which kills the fungus. The lime
which must be fresh and unslacked,
forms a combination with the blue
stone which prevents the copper from
burning the foliage Of the plants; but
at the same time leaves 1t active
enough to destroy the fungus. II an
insufficient amount Of lime is used or
IL the old lime Is air-slacked lime
which has lost its caustic character be
used, free copper will be left in solu-
ton. This free copper Is very injuri-
Gus to the tender parts Of the plants.
Good Bordeaux Mixture Is easily
made IL stock solutions Of lime and
bluestone are kept on hand. These can
be made and kept in any kinG Of wood
en-, earthern or glass vessels which
can be kept closed. Where just few
trees or a few vegetables are to be
sprayed from time to time during the
summer, half gallon glass jars are also
very satisfactory vessels to keep stock
solutions in.
Stock Solution Of BIuestone.
Dissolve lb. Of bluestone in each
gallon Of water for as many gallons or
stock solution as you want, and put
this in half gallon jars and store away
in some convenient place. This will
keep indefinitely, but is poisonous and
should be placed where children can
not get 1t.
Stock Solution Of Lime.
Slack with water as many pounds OF
quick lime as you want to make gal
Ions Of stock solution. AS soon as the
lime is thoroughly Stacked into smooth
even paste, stir up we'll, pour
into half gallon glass jars and put
away for future use. These jars do
not need to be kept air-tight, but
should be covered so as to prevent
evaporation.
Formula.
BlueStone .................... ip'
Lime ip'
water .................. Il sai'