THE LOCAL POTATO CROP.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5131, 16 September 1895, Page 3

THE LOCAL POTATO CROP.

HOW TO TREAT DISEASE. At the close of last season, when potatoes were being harvested, it was noticed by Mr D. S. Papworth that many of the potatoes were affected with a fungoid disease, which would bo calculated to very seriously injure local crops if allowed to go unchecked, To make certain of tho affection, a sample of the potato was forwarded | toMrT. W. Kirk, the Government] Biologist, who has pronounced it to be the mcrosporium sohni. This is a disease which is giving considerable annoyanco to potatoe growers in various parts of the Colony. So ; far as local observation goes, the disease appears most frequently on lato crops in most situations. Any planter having scabby seed, or seed 1 showing a tendency to cracking of 1 tho skin, should at onco make sure 1 that it is not affected,as theaffection will sproad to the crop when grow- | ing, and ruin an otherwise profitable ' crop. ' All affected crops should bo sub- ' mitted to tho following treatment : 41b. sulphate ol copper, 41b. fresh lime, I 4oz, Paris green, r 31b, common ireaolo, 45 gallons water. i Dissolve the copper in, say, 5 1 gallons of water in a wooden vessel: i tho best way is to tie it in a looselyj woven bag, and suspend the bag from a stick laid across the tub; or, b if in a hurry, übb hot water, Slack i the lime in another vessel, and add it to the coppor solution; stir well J till thoroughly mixed, thon add snfa ficient wator to bring the wholo up a to 45 gallons. Now strain out any s dirt j thon stir in tho treacle. Mix tho Paris greon to the consistency of thin paste, and add it to the mixture, - stirring well. i, Apply with a proper spray-pump ie with a, cyclone ; nozzle.; .first, when the potatowa between Sin, and 9i-n,

high, and twice later at intervals ol about ten days. Repeat if necossnry If the treatment above advocatec is carefully carried out it will provt effectual in preventing the attacks ol both insect and fungoid pests, Tht Bordeaux raiiture prevents tho germination of fungus spores, and the Paris greon will poison tho tiny grubs directly they hatch and begin to eat into tho vine.