Potato Blight.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 95, 13 October 1915, Page 4

Potato Blight.

Itae "Journal of the Irish Depart* ment of Agriculture" states that last year Bordeaux mixture proved superior to Bordeaux paste prepared by combining commercially pure, 99 per cent sulphate of copper and hydrated, selected lime, in addition t'» which the cost ot the paßte was about twice that of the Bordeaux mixture. Bordeaux and Burgundy mixtures prepared from a 1 per tent solution of cupper sulphate in 1914, produced both a greater yield of healthy tubers as compared with mixtures prepared from a 2 per cent solution cf copper sulphate. The work of past Beasuns has shown that the differences due to the us; of spraying mixtures of the two strengths named are nut very great one way or the other. A Burgundy n»ixtur3 prepared by precipitating copper sulphate with commercial potassium carbonate instead of tbe usual sodium carbonate was tested in order to ascertaia the effect of combining with the mixture used against the blight a substance which wuuld, if absorbed, be of benefit to the potato plant. The results in 1914 showed a very slight advantage in faviur of tbia potash mixture over the ordinary soda mixture; the advantage gained wo\iU justify a change from tbe use of soda to that of the more expensive potash in preparing Burgundy mixture. Four varictits of potatoes which have a good reputation in England as being rtsisLant ti blight, viz., Langwo.thy, Golden Wonder, Peace maker and VVhat'n Wanted, failef to exhibit this character in I hh trials in 1914, at least as regards foliage and stalks, and thj yields were small. The varieties Champion 11. and Llifden Saddling proved very highly reiiiatant, and Snamrock and Northern Invincible highly resistant to blight.