INTRODUCTION.


 Growing tomatoes is one of the important and increasing
 industries of Florida. To know the best varieties, the best meth-
 ods of cultivation, and the best ways of fighting diseases and
 insect pests means annually many dollars to the individual grow-
 ers, and a large sum in the aggregate to the people of the State.
 In this bulletin, No. 21, Prof. Rolfs, Biologist of the Experi-
ment Station, states some valuable points in regard to selecting
seed, growing the young plants, and their after cultivation,
founded on his observation and experience. He has for some
years made a study of the insects injurious to the tomato and of
the diseases which affect it. His work last summer led him to
the very significant discovery that the disease in Florida
known as "tomato blight' is a fungus, the mycelia of which en-
ter the tomato plant from the soil and grow within the
tissues of the plant. The discovery has already led to
methods of battling with the blight that have helped much
in holding it in check. Prof. Rolfs will continue the investiga-
tion, and it is hoped that the work of the coming year will reach
results that will enable all growers to save themselves from furth-
er loss by this disease,
 O. CLUTE,
 Director.
 Lake City, Fla., October, 1893.