Milford chronicle., 1883-10-05

as destruction of the potato crop in various se
d tions OF the country. The disease, judging ror
10 the descriptions. is doubtless the one known
le the potato rot" Thisis not new trouble, an
J. most Of the older inhabitants can remember tn
s. ravages of this pest in 1912 and again in 1915
when it spread over Great Britain. Ireland, an,
J. the United States. causing much distress tC
I those who make the potato the leading article o.
food.
The roting Of the potatoes is caused by a mi
croscopie fungus, PeronOspora iatestans,
which lnfests the potato plant.
By fungus is understood plant of a very low
order, the more familiar members Of which are
the loadstOOls, mushrooms, ,mildews and mouds.
Some of the fungi live only on decaying organic
! matter, and are comparative harmless; in fact
are often helpful in Fastening decay AND prpp4r.
ing substances for future usefulness Other
species Of fungi are parasitlc growing upon living
things. The bread mould is a familiar iIustra.
ton OF small fungus which feeds upon dead
matter, while the potato rot fungus is an eouanv
striking example Of one thriving upon living
plant The midcw o. the grape, which has
caused great damage in many vineyards. is a
close relative of the potato rot. They both be-
ong to the same genus (Peronospord), a genus
which contains large number of species, and
all are destructive to a host plants
Ihe potato rot tunguS consists of long fiaments
or threads, which grow through the substance
OF the potato plant. and rob it Of juices and in
dncH rapid decay. Tn" fungus usually makes
its first appearai ce upon the under side of the
leaves as irost-like patches, soon causing the
'onage to curl and turn brown. This frost like
appearance is due to Il multitude of spores which
nave formed upon the ends Of fungus threads
lrotrudng from the breathing pores OF the leaf
There are many thousand stomata or breathing !
'ores to the square inch, and a dozen or more 7
hreadS may come out at each opening. Each !
+ these threads forms branches, and each I
'ranch bears SpOre. This helps to give an =
lea OF the vast number of spores formed upon
single en- cted lcaf. These spores terminate
nickIy and in peculiar manner each spore
wing rise 10 several smaller spores provided
TN halr-ilke appendageS (cilid) by means of
hich they move quickly around. This is most
imlrable provision for the rapid a d perirct
'read nc OF the disease when it has ouce
struck" potato field.
After the foliage has become affected rho die
se passes into the stems and down n the ~.
RS "hen the most destructive work is done.
The farmer should be on the watch for this IA. =,
pest OF his potato field. Like most fungi this ~
thrives hest in warm, rainy. or
luggy" weather Ia one Of the recent press +
'rts 1t was stated that the decay was caused
lhe wet weather which has prevailed in many
rts OF the country. The weather was only a All
'oring condition for the growth of the rot nlar,
much so as the rains are aids to the proft. bic (
'eopihehI OF the various field crops Weeks
we PREDICTED, and with great degree Of Ger.
N.Y. that the potatoes would rrt in many sec
Is ThlS ca ne from a knowledge of the ma.
OF the rot and the conditions which favor lis tn
:o
has D. en- shown that the disease is first seen
N the leaves. When the foliage begius 10 u
and turn brown. Il potatoes shnud ne dino ,
ce' amt in This prevent the fungus from an,
'mnS the fdherS. The potatoes should the. pat
placed IN cool and dry plare-the con,litinns
Il favorable Tor the further growth OF the
gus should it be present An affected tubers
liu Oe thrown out and gathered with the
IS aud burned. Tbs destroys nultitueds OF
'eS which might otherwise live through the
ter and be ready to propagate the rot the fol.
ng season.
lere has been great deal said about "rot
W. varieties OF potatoes, but they probably PHI
ot exist. Some sorts are more suscentible
Others, robably from constitutional we,k. Ona
Many prizes have been offered in England
he hndtng OF the best sorts to withstand tbe tom
KS OF the rot fungus, hut without any salts COIN
'ry results. Knowing shat the disease is Mail
eu Dy parasite fungus the rauid d.,,ai,,, p. NJ.
nj which i. t,,..l -. p N''0'oP , 20
'Oieu ny mOiSI' warm wealth Il
iere Is little hope of finding variety Of DO. A. M.
$ so abnormal as to be "rot proof" q q 20 20
9 IS