The Potato Disease.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 6, 13 August 1874, Page 5

The Potato Disease.

Tn reference to the use of lime, salt, and plaster to destroy the fungus that is .supposed to cause tho potato rot, I would say, to support the fungus theory, that I saw some quite convincing proof last year while securing my potatoes, and observing also one of my neighbors who had a load got wet on the ground before they wero . picked. They were picked, dried, and put in the pit; when taken out full one-third were rotten, while others,- secured without getting wet,, were nearly free from rot. I also noticed that potatoes that were near the top ofthe ground were affected the most. I inferred from these circumstances that the fungus is en the top of the ground, and is carried down to the potato by the rains, affecting those near the surface first. Those that got wet on the ground were the more easily affected by "the dirt adhering to them. The lime, salt, and plaster should, to be most effective, be applied on the hill after the potatoes are fully set, at intervals until dug. It is preferable to dig while the sun is shining, and let the potatoes be well dried before being picked. Another remedy. 1 would suggest is to plant none put healthy and new varieties that are known to yield well. The potato is like yeast; to be kept good it is necessary to go back to the starting point quite often*. We* must go back to the seed balls and produce new - kinds. Those that are doing this are conferring upon the world at large a public, good.