The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1918-08-15
COTTON DISEASES
AND THEIR REMEDIES
Writer Says .Red Rust and Blight
Are Causing Great Damage
Over Country

/ - 6Ao5 Va NesA NstAC4 pfA4AS3 wv NOA-
tributed by DR.. H. I. Byars, former
ly of this place:
Knowing as / do that your paper
is widely read by the farmers Of the
county, permit me to use your columns
to answer some Of the many ques-
lions that are being asked regarding
the rapid deterioration of the cotton
crop, which began some time more
than month ago, and which has
increased to such an extent as to at
tract the attention of practically ev-
eryone who passes along our roads,
whether he goes into the fields or not,
There are at least two causes for
this deterioration, both of which are
aggravated by the prevailing hot
weather, which of itself is not a
cause of deterioration of cotton in
this county, except in sandy spots.
Always. heretofore, the summers
which were too dry and hot for corn
have been our best cotton seasons.
But this season the hot, dry spell
has encouraged the spread Of both
the "red rust" and the other disease
(which has been almost universally
called "blight" by those farmers who
have noticed it.
"Red Rust" has been observed as
beginning along the roadside. So com
mon is it in that locality that many
persons have attributed its presence
there to dust from passing vehicles.
But upon investigating that matter,
your correspondent finds that dust
has nothing to do with either the or
Iigin or spread Of the disease; that
its presence along the roadside and
along fence rows is due to the fact
that weeds in those places harbor
a mite that attacks the cotton plant
and spreads rapidly from plant to
plant till considerable areas are ruin
ed. Weedy places in fields, especially |
around stumps, are centers of infest- /
alton. Starting from such center,
it is not uncommon for the ruin to
involve half an acre or more.
Anyone may see the mite that |
is causing the widespread destruc-
ton Of the crop. Take a leaf from
an infested plant, look closely along
the leaf veins on the under side. Tiny
mites Of various colors are observed,
some are crawling, some attached to
the leaf. Some of the grown mites
are a rusty red in color, but many
are light amber. By turning the leaf
and looking down the depres-
sions, one may see web so fine as
to be almost invisible to the sharpest
eye Your correspondent has drawn
the inference that this web and the
rusty-red color Of some of the fully
developed mites has given the name
to the infestation further south,
where it prevails more frequently Of +
FRed Spider" though there is little \
Oh no resemblance to justify the name
spider as applied to the mite in ques-
lion. The leaf when attacked by the
mite, turns red. This redness has
given rise TO the name. RED Rust"
which, while it accurately describes
an unyarying symptom Of infestation,
IN no way indicates the cause Of the
disease.
Repressive measures should begin
early, before the mite has moved
from its breeding place upon the
weeds to the cotton, keeping down
weeds along fence rows, around
stumps and in low places where the
cotton has drowned out is an almost
sure preventive if begun early in Il
The season and kept up. Poison
sprays do no good Sprays that kill
.he mite by contact are said to be
effective, but SO widespread has the a
pest become this season before it's
rue nature was recognized that your
correspondent is Of the opinion that
little can be done to stop it wothout
mourning an expense too great to Il
Justify the attempt. A good rain and
.ooler weather will greatly retard !
is spread by invigorating the plant, :
tut the damage already done is be- /
yond repair. The damage in this !
county alone will amount into thou :
sands Of dollars, and is taking toll :
# millions over the belt. h
The disease known to many farmers
Is blight is entirely distinct from
Red Rust" or red spider. a plant
apparently in full vigor shows white ].
II bronze splotches upon its leaves.
The leaf does not wilt or droop, but 4
n few days, after all leaves ona !
he affected plant show these splotch- !
IS, practically every leaf falls and is
ound in heap at the root of the 9
liant, which is left bare and denuded, i
Except possibly for dead squares !
till hanging on. This blight is still =
widely scattered through the fields !
round the central and southern parts Y
f the county, and is causing dam {
ge to the crop only a little less in y
Is magnitude than that of "Red y
lust" It was seen first by the writ =
r about six years ago. here and
here through the fields, but its more &
requent occurrence last year, and y
his convinces him that it will work I
reat damage to the crops in the =
uture unless means for its control I.
an be devised. It's cause, as well as I
leans of combating its spread, are s
9th yet unknown. Rotation is doubt y
9ss the best means of combating
, but it is well to note that it has
ppeared this year in fields not used
5r cotton in several years. q
Any suggestions from farmers or "a
Tiers that have observed this blight, las
5 to its cause or prevention, will be e.
thankfully received BY the writer, q
no is making an earnest effort to -
,restall its damage to the crop. a
II. I. BYARS. es
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