BLIGHTED POTATOES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2794, 24 May 1911, Page 3

BLIGHTED POTATOES.

WHEN TO DIG THEM

A question that is of great interest in most of the potato districts at present is when is the best time to dig blighted potatoes. In discussing this problem in the New South Wales " Agricultural

Gazette," Mr E. D. Butler says that with the abnormally wet season just experienced it is rather difficult to advise. In other countries the subject has claimed much attention, and the ultimate con-

elusion of some experimenters is that if

it is desired to store the tubers they

should not be dug until the tops are dead and thoroughly dry. As long as the tops remain partially green, the spores of the blight fungus continue to live, and in the process of digging the tubers become covered with live spores, and, if conditions are at all favourable,

more or less rot results. Precautions should be taken after digging not to cover the potatoes with tops that have blight, as they are liable to convey infection. All tops should be removed before digging, and effectually destroyed. Lf it is intended to market the potatoes, the tops might be removed when the tubers are large enough or sufficiently matured, care being taken

to remove same to some remote place and efifectuallv destroy them. If any infected tubers are found, they also should be sorted out and destroyed

without delay,