The Potato Blight.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 285, 16 November 1906, Page 2

The Potato Blight.

[From N. Z. Farmers’ Wbkkly ] La t weak we bad an unc-xp: ctedly practical demonstration of the succe-s ful operation of a potato blig't ex erminitoc, which appears to bo an infal lible blight specific, and which is cer tainly not open to tho s*me ofcjec i »ii as tho Tongaporuln mix'are ; we refer to Shinland's pit bFgb' externiina tor, w' l ’’ch is so well and favourably known amongst the po'ato growers of the Auckland province. A West Tatnaki potato grower, who two ago lost something like £7OO in labour and ser I as a result of the potato blight, has been exporimenti ig on a fairly extensive tcale with blight exterminators. He his found that, by following the d : rections given with Sharland’s specific the remits obtained have been extremely gratifying. His experience of *the exterminator has proved more than favourable, and several seed potatoes which had been soaked iu this specific, and which bad been obtained from him, were shown to us, together with a number of selfgrown potatjes grown from seed treated last season. In »he case of the former, the sma est sample of seed weighed at least five ounces, the largest specimens ranging up to 14, 16 and 18oz., and even more ; indeed, five potatoes weighed 7ib. 1-loz. between them, and three of this lot, which were cut up for seed purposes, gave eighteen sets for planting. These potatoes were as hard as a rock; they were of the “Up-to-date” variety, had been soaked in the exterminator for twenty-four hours, and then thoroughly dried in the sun and air; and we were informed that the usual procedure was to keep them 10 or 12 days before planting. The potatoes presented a particularly healthy appearance. Although the original shoots had been destroyed, clearly de* fined and healthy new shoots had made their appearance, which gave every promise of producing excellent results when planted. The West Tamaki grower, to whom we referred for au opinion on the exterminator, spoke in enthusiastic terms of 'ts operation. “It is,” he said, “ a strengthened a cleaner, and a saver, and doos its work thoroughly. You may tell your readers, however,” he went on, ’’ that if they are growing potatoes, it is no use planting the sort that Dargaville man has sent down. Moreover,” he said, “ the potatoes must be soaked whole; if you out them before soaking you destroy the potato itself; but it you soak it whole you simply destroy the disease, or the tendency to disease, which may be in the tuber.”

Since writing the foregoing article •orroborative testimony as to the good work done by the Sbarland exterminator is forthcoming from the Bay of Plenty, the correspondent of a contemporary writing:—“ln refreshing contradiction to woeful tales we have heard of failure of seed to germinate after the use of some bhght exterminators, Mr C. A. Crabbe, of Tauranga, stales that after soaking his seed in the Sharland preparation the plants have come up well, and now look healthy and are making fine growth. No doubt the blight is still in existence, as one or two early growers here can testify to their cost.”