Untitled

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3611, 16 December 1905, Page 4

Thta Dlltu* May Be Held In Check fcy the Appllca Hon oir Bordeaux Mixture.

This disease is widespread and destructive. It is confined to the leaves and green stems, and appears auont the time the tubers b« gin to form, but may be noticed earlier it 1 he growth of the plants hits hern clucked in any way. The first indication of its presence is the appearance on the leaves of grayish brown spots, which soon become hard and brittle. The disease progresses rather s.ovvly, the spots gradually becoming larger, especially along the edges- of the leaflets. At the end of ten days to two weeks, half of the leaf surface may be brown, withered and brittle, while the rest is of a yellowish green color. Three weeks or a month- may elapse before all the leaves succumb. The tubers stop

LEAF AFFECTED BT BLIGHT, growing almost as soon as the leaves are attacked, and as a result tho crop is practically worthless. This blight may be held in check by the application of Bordeaux mixture. This is prepared and applied follows: Pour into a 50-galloip-' barrel 25 gallons of clear, water, then weigh out suC-'TSmmds of'~crushed hhiestojv^Cr~copper sulphate, and after tytng~it in a piece of coarse sacking suspend the package just beneath the surface of the water by means of a string tied to a stick laid across the top of the barrel. In another suitable vessel, such as a tub or half barrel, slack four pounds of fresh lime. Slack the lime 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 sufficient mixture to make 25 gallons. As soon as the bluest v,; r is dissolved, which will require an hour or more, pour the lime murk and Milestone solution together, using a separate barrel for tho purpose, and stirring constantly to effect a thorough mixture. It sometimes happens that sufficient lime is not used, and as a "result the foliage may be injured. To be certain that flic-mixture is safe, hold a steel knife in it for (wo or three minutes, and if the polished surface of the blade shows a copper-colored tinge add more lime, but if it slays bright the mixture Is lit to use.—Fanners’ Review.