POTATO LEAF BLIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3598, 16 November 1905, Page 4

POTATO LEAF BLIGHT.

TXiU mnenNc. May Be Held In Chech by the Application of Itordeani Mixture. f This disease is widespread and destructive. It is confined to the leaves and green sterns, and appears about the time the tubers begin to form, but may be noticed eavij, .• if the growth ot the plants bus been checked in any way. Tbe first indication of its presappearance on the leaves of (vy ;,t.n :, au spots, which soon be- .. b.Atle. The disease ovu .• V. .. thd slowly, tin spot? £r-hi . oming larr-r, • - Tilly ■Wu./ of the Lari- A‘ the end ol i,c.. u..ys to two ~ half ot the leaf face may be brown, withered and brittle, while (he rest is of a yellowish green color. Three weeks oi g month may elapse before all the leaves succumb. The tubers stop

LEAF AFFECTED BT BLIGHT, gfrtwing almost as soon a* the leaves we attacked, and as a result the crop is practically worthless. This blitriil may be held in check by the application of Bordeaux mixture. This is prepared and applied as follows; Pour into a 50-gallon barrel 25 gallons of clear water, then wei: ’ 1 ■ six pounds of crushed b! ’•*r • -i' riper sulphate, and after lx■■ ~ -«Vce of coarse sacking ■ ... . = ■-isMi;-" just beneath the , • - - ■ • .r.i'r by means of a ■ . a stick laid across the tog ' iri (1. In another suitable vess- as a tub or half barrel, slim -. pounds of fresh lime. Slack tin . ■ carefully by pouring on small quantities of water’at a time, the object being to'obtain a smooth, creamy liquid, free from grit. When the lime is slacked add sn‘lndent mixture to make 25 gallons. As soon ns the bluestone is dissolved, which will require an hour or more, poor the lime murk and bhiestone solution together, using a separate barn ! for the purpose, and ftirring constantly to effect a thorough mixture. It sometimes happens that sufficient lime is not used, and asa result the foliage may be injured. Te be certain that the mixture is safe,hold a steel knife in it for two or three minutes, and if the polished surface of the blade shows a copper-colored tinge add more lime, but if it stays bright the mixture is lit to use.—Farmers’Review.