The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-06-23
AGRICULTURAL.
TOPICS OF INTEREST RELATIVE
TO FARM AND GARDEN.
The Potato Rot.

The following are extracts from {
paper Oh the "Cause and Remedy of the
Potato Rot" by J. II. Panton, Professor
at Ontario Agricultural College:
The use of the microscope has revealed
many forms of disease about whose ori
gin little was known, both among ami
mails and plants. The potato rot is now
conceded to be the result of a minute
/ fungus which attacks all parts of tho
/ plant, leaf, stem and tubers. By those
| ignorant of the life history of this tin J
parasitic plant, little attent on is paid tc
its appearance on the tops, and no alarm
is.experienced until the potatoes are af-
', fected
tits usually indicated by the tops pre-.
senting a b.ighted brownish, spotted,
| dead appearance. A close examination
+ of the potatoes showing this will dis.
, cover innumerable slender stems growing
up out of the surface of the leaves and
stems of the affected plants. These
branch and swell out at the ends into
pear. shaped, minute bodies or pores,
which are produced by millions. When
ripe they separate from the stem, and
being exceedingly light, pass into the
! atmosphere, where they are waited
about.
Under favorable conditions of moisture
land heat, the contents of a microscopic
spore may push out long, minute tube
which can penetrate into any part of the
potato plant and give rise to the fungus.
The mature plant consists of many color
less, branching, thread-like structures.
These penetrate the tissues of the potato
and feed upon the juices, so that it soon
weakens and begins to waste away. This
, minute, microscopic plant is low form
of vegetable life, fastening upon other
plants and feeding upon their juices. A
wet season supplies conditions well
T; adapted for its development.
The rot usually appears about the first
two weeks in August, and if the weather
is favorable its spread is very rapid, for
; as soon as the thread like structure which
arises from the spore is developed, it i'm
med;ately becomes spore- bearing. Hence
the importance of examining the plants for
the appearance of the brownish spots that
indicate the presence of the fungus.
/. As soon as discovered, dig the
potatoes. Delay will allow it to spread
to the stems, and thence to the tubers.
If it reaches these and damp weather
comes, ''rot" will certainly appear.
2. After digging, the potatoes should
be put in a cool, dry place, thus sur
rounding them with conditions unfavor'
able for the growth of the fungus, if any
happens to be upon them.
). Growing carly varieties is worthy of
consideration, so that they may mature
before the season arrives when this para
site is likely to affect the crop.
4. All potato stalks in affected lands
should be gathered and burned, so as to
destroy the millions of spores which may
be upon them.
5. Use none but good seed. If at all
affected, reject them, and plant in we'll
drained land. If the potatoes to be used
for seed have been taken from cellars
where affected ones were kept, they are
likely to have the micro copic spores on
them and escape notice. 1t would LIE
best to get the seed from unaffected dis
tricts.
6. 1t is scarcely necessary to remark
that it would be injudicious to plant po-
tatoes in the same field the following
year, after visitation of the "rot," mas
much as the ground may retain the germs
of the disease.
7. Avoid planting upon heavy clay
soil, but prefer light and dry soil. This
presents the fewest conditions suitable
for the growth of the fungus.