A NEW POTATO PEST.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 30, 28 July 1911, Page 4

A NEW POTATO PEST.

In the course of an article on potato experiments at the Moumahaki State Farm, Mr Primrose M'Connell says that on the whole the season, although rather short of moisture for swelling, the tubers had been fairly favourable for the potato crop at the farm, and with few exceptions the yield was satisfactory. Unfortunately a new pest had made its appearance for the first time in this neighbourhood, and it had the appearance of being even more difficult to deal with than the Irish or other blights. This was the Gelechia Operculella, on which disease the Government Biologist reported in April last. Acting under the advice given in the report, all tubers selected for the next year's seed were at once steeped for fifteen minutes in corrosive sublimate, at the rate of ioz. to 8 gallons water, and put away in shallow boxes for sprouting. For the latter purpose an extensive house has been put up, made of 3in. by 3in. spars and mesh wire netting, the latter sunk 2ft. in the ground to make it rat-proof. The house has a 3ft. passage up the centre, with four rows of shelves on each side to carry sprouting boxes. The latter are 3in. deep, TOin. wide, and 24in. long. The end boards are 6in. higher than the sides and connected by a lin. by lin. spar, which also selves as a handle to the box when the tubers are being planted. The high ends enable the boxes to be piled one on top of the other without injury to the sprouts. The boxes may be stored in this manner without the aid of shelves, but by the use of the latter the tubers are more easily examined during the winter months. The tubers should be carefully examined periodically, and all diseased or any showing "needle" sprouts removed. A small piece should be cut off the stem end of the set so as to expose the presence of any internal disease. Any potato showing an inner-brown ring is affected with bacteriosis, and should not be planted.