NEW POTATO DISEASE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 266, 13 April 1917, Page 3

NEW POTATO DISEASE.

A Serious Problem.

The industry of potato growing in the Fukekohe district is seriously menaced by a new form of disease among the tubers, which in the event of no remedy being found to combat its ravages threatens to more or less extinguish the production of potatoes locally. It first made its appearance last year but this season it has broken out to an alarming degree and is extensively prevalent. It is quite distinct from the ordinary form (ft .blight and it apparently originates in the haulm (or stalk) of the potato and spreads down to its eye, producing a kind of " gravy or watery " matter. The whole potato in time becomes a soft mass and with the disease rapidly developing after " the spud" is bagged other sound potatoes in the bag suffer from contact and are ruined. .

Mr William Roulston, the wellf known local merchant, has on behal of the farmers taken the matter in hand and by direction, of the Government Fields Department has forwarded samples of diseased potatoes to the Government Biologist at Levin, such samples including tubers in various stages of growth, some of them very young with their haulms affected. It is-anticipated that as the result of Mr Roulston's action a Government oxpert will visit Pukekohe to make investigations.