The Portland daily press., 1883-05-28
T.HE PRESS.
MONDAY MORNING. MAY rs.
To Raise Sound Potatoes.

To Raise Sound Potatoes.
More or less complaint is yearly heard
throughout the State of potatoes rotting.
Investigation has proved that the rot is caus
ed and propagated by spores or the seeds OF
division of plants known to botanisLs as
cryptogamous or flowerless plants, the seeds
of which are termed spores; Prof. G. III.
Fernald, of the State cellege, in his able and
interesting lecture before the Board of Agr-
culture of Waterville, last winter, very
clearly explained the propagation of fungi
and its connection with the potato rot
These seeds or spores are infinitesimal In
size and float upon the air imperceptibly.
They are so exceedingly fine that they may
be carried into the organism of the plant by
the circulation of the sap. Certain forms of
this class eff plants are most familiar to us
as toadstools, mushrooms, mildew, smut
and the like. The putf-bals which we so
often find upon the ground if squeezed in
the hand send off cloud of smoke which is
only the spores or seeds of this wonderful
plant; and these seeds germinate and grow
with marvellous rapidity, undor proper con
ditions. 1t would seem that unless the
right conditions are present the spores lie
dormant until the proper conditions are
favorable when they germinate and rapidly
develop. The damp weather in later sum-
mer seems to be congenal to the develop
ment of the spores of the fungi.
They find their way to potatoes in various
ways; 1t may be from manures into which
diseased vines or tubers may have been
thrown, and now are brought into direct
contact with the potatoes, or as some writer's
say, the spores fill the air and only await a
favorable condition of atmosphere to lay
hold of the plant or go be taken up after set
ting to the ground, by the sponioles or root
lets, and circulate with the sap, aud thus
they lie as free, movable bodies in the sub
stance of the plant. As they begin to deve-
op and throw out their minute threadlike
roots into the tissue of the plant they stop
up the pores and hinder sap elaboration and
appropriate for their own growth the sub
stance of the plant, the inevitable result of
which is dsorganization and decay where
they are pIesent in sufficient quantity.
As we have assumed that the presence of
the spores of fungi is the cause of the pota-
to rot, let us consider some of the conditions
favorable to fungus growth.
Frst Vigorous, unhealthy growth of plant,
induced by excessive fertilization. Every
farmer knows that where potatoes are plant
ed on highly MANFRED land they almost IN
variabiy rot. This is accounted for by un-
due stimulation of the plant whereby the
tissues become porous and weak caused by
too rapid development, Where the organs
OF the plant are overworked, they are liable
to become surcharged with stagnant matter,
the potatoes are waIery, and the whole plant
feels the debilitating influence and the ten
dency will be to feeble growth, in which
condition the fungus spores, if they attack
the plant. will find an easy victim.
Another inducing condition is the plant
ing of immature tubers. Starch makes up
large portion of the solid matter of the po-
tato, and by conversion into sugar it is made
iuf0 food for the urnuVinO nlanf Rut INN
ture tnbers are wanting in this element,
hence the growth therefrom cannot be very
vigorous. Weakly plants being unable to
Withstand the attacks of disease, the neces-
sity of strong, compact, and healthy
growth is evident, aud the opposite should
not be indu ed by planting immature seed.
Bad effects might not be evident in a single
season. but the tendency would be to deteri-
crate.
Another predisposing cause of the favor
able condition of The development of the
fungus spores, and one entirely beyond the
control OF the farmer, is sudden atmos-
pheric changes. Hence, sudden alienation
of heat and cold, dryness ard dampness,
affect the plants unfayorably, and more
especially if the nnfayorable conditions are
present before enumerated.
To avoid these unfavorable conditions as
far as lies IN the power of the cultivator,
w SuOulA ofOtN USING CAuOC
manure for the potato. The crude nitro
genous manures of the barn-yard possess
the conditions favorable to fungus growth.
Notice how quickly and palnteously the COM
mon mushroom springs up in deeomposing
manure, when atmospheric conditions are
favorable. Instead, use deeomposed manure
and as much as possible those fertilizers con-
tanning alkaies. Alkali is destruction to
fungus growth and destroys the seeds or
spores when they come in contact Nth it.
Notice that potatoes grown upon burnt land
or upon new land anywhere are scarcely ever
affected by the rot.
Practice selecting year after year the best,
fairest, and most mature tubers for seed,
and thereby breed up to healthy organiza-
ton, possessing vigor and as much as may
be freedom from constitutional weakness.
By good and thorough cultivation and
healthy fertilization promote strong. heal
thy growth in the plant, and thus By fort
ifed constitution ward off the attack of tie
disease.
A point which should not be overlooked
is location. Locate the potato field on
elevated, well drained ground; never upon
low, wet land. Dampness, as all have OBJ
served, is fore-runner of rot in the potato.
As safeguard against future attacks of the
fuugns it would be well to gather the potato
tops in heaps in the fall and burn them.
This may be done at time of digging with
but little extra trouble. Thus the vines
would be kept from the manure which is
often the vehicle of spreading the spores
from field to field.-LeWiston Journal