Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1880-08-19

ease exists Che whole produce OF that root
must be separated and uesed as food. The
presence of mycelium does not render the
roots unhealthy tor eating purposes but it
Is Mr. Bravender's opinion that the disease
is transmitted through seed which, to all
appearance, is perfectly healthy, but which
nevertheless contains the spores of the fun
gus. AS regards the reason why certain
varieties are less subject to disease, may it
not be that these, being fresher and nearer
the original seed from which they were
grown, have more vigor and resisting pow
er? We remember the introduction of the
fluke kidneys many years since. At that
time they were said to he disease proof
yet now we believe they are as liable as any
other variety. Mr.. Bravender thinks that
the government ought to promote and Ell
courage further research, and might with
advantage offer the following prizes: e200
for potato entirely resisting the disease;
eloo for Fourball Of better quality; elOO
for an improved Norwegian; elOO for an
improved Champion Of Scotland; elOO for
an improved Skcrry Blue; el0O for an ear
AACi VAIN VI Hull bOnum.
As regards the best practice to mitigate
disease, opinions differ SO widely that it
seems impo ssble to arrive at very definite
conclusions. TO plant early and grow
quick-ripenlng varieties is doubtless good
plan as regards disease; but then we are
liable to serious injury from late spring
frests. If the tops are well out Of ground,
exposed to seven or eight degrees OF frost,
the quantity of produce is much reduced.
Neither on large scale can we sprout the
potatoes before planting therefore we must
endeayor to arrange our practice SO as to
avoid extremes. Planting from the middle
of March to the first week of April will sui
most districts. Using whole seeds of lnedi-
am size is apparently better than cut sets
1ronl large ware. covering with about Aye
inches of soil in light soil and three inches
in stronger land-which, by the way, should
net be planted, as the result will probably
not be remanerative. AS regards the pro-
cess, we believe the plan Of ridging and
placing the manure taken immediately from
a covered foldyard is most economical and
suitable for weak, light soils; nor do we
think that reasonable dressing thus ap-
piled necessarily encourages disease. The
artificial is sown broadcast; the potatoes
are placed on the manure about twelve to
fourteen inches apart, according to sort
the ridges are turned back, covering the
sets, and they are gradually pulyerized by
the use of potato harroWs and and the bout
ing plow, which are worked three or four
times previous to the appearance of the
stems above ground. Not only is the sur
face thus gradually reduced to fine friable
by these operations, but weeds
are kept down and air made to circulate.
which is point of great Importance to
healthy growth indeed porous condition
lion OF soil is essential TO success. When
The land has been carefully hoed, both by
lorse-hoe and by hand-hoeing, and the tops
1ave attained sufficient growth, the earlh-
ng up should be carried out Here again
he object is two-told-so give the potatoes
dry, healthy bed, from which excess of
'alnfaii can escape to the burrows; and also
o level the young tubers, with tut little
oll over them, and SO to get the benefit of
IS much air as possible. Mr.. Bravender
uggests that attempts should be made to
tamp out disease by more careful selection
# seed, and by destroying the means by
which the resting spores are maintained.
'otatoes for seed should be taken up early,
'etore the disease has appeared Diseased
'aulms and tnbers must be destroyed. The
apld spread of disease in summer is attrib-
table to the conidea, or summer seeds.
which are blown about by the wind This
$ the most fertile, and apparently unpre. i
entable, cause of disease because, howev- {
II careful cultivator is himself, lie may J
ufier from his neighbours crop. Mr.. Bra
ender thinks that the disease NAV travel I
liree hundred to four hundred miles in t
ingle season. :
III Is suggested that important and most ,
ecessary information as to the existence of 4
ne resting spores might be obtained if GOV {
would take possession of certain t
slands-say the Isle OF Man, Tor example, t
md pass an act OF Parliament requiring the