The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-01-08
FARM, FIELD ANDGtRDEN.
Points AND SUGGESTIONS eoR THE
BENEFIT or AesicULT0RisTs.

The Potato nst-It Prevails Nov la Al
sna-t Every country where the irsrh
ruhrr T. orown-Nctheds Of TreAsmeHt-
otiser Farm Matters
The rot Of the Irish potato is a disease
which has been known in this country
for fully hfts wears. and has been -vaFi-
ously termed .'flse rot. the potato rot.
.-potato murrain. potato cholera. etc.
Il now prevails Throughout all the chief
rotaio growing countries Of the world
and causus more damage 10 the potato
crop than ali o; ,cr inirrics combined
Ia seasous af cHcg-.ise moisture u IS
Hooked upen by tie potato grower as al
most inevitable. .ad by rsist the losses
il occasions are REGARDED - unavoidable.
We believe thaf il MAY l,e ayoide:-. or
al least is attack 80 diminished as TO
render the losses from Tins source insig-
nificani. a knowiedcc Of the cause OF
the disease warrants this conclusion. says
i. I.aiuson Scribner. Of the Tennessee
agricultural experiment station. There
are several kinds Of potato sot. both wet
and dry. which are due % various causes.
Init the potato rni-the disease which the
planter ALWAYS has ia his mind when he
saws his potatoes arc being DESTROYED by
tie rot-resslts from she growth Of
parasitic fungus upor the potato plant
similar In habit and botanically related
10 the downy mildew Of the grape vine.
The disease has never been more de-
structivc than during the years lS43 TO
is45. and the wild potato Is no more free
from the malady than the cultivated
varieties. IL Is not the climate. nor the
slii. nor any vital exhaustion OF the po-
rato itself that causes the rls: il comes
from the attacks of a minute parasitic
plant which infesfs the potato, penetrat-
inr in its growth both the top and the
tubors. This parasite has been artifi-
cially cultivated upon the potato and rot
produced thereby; potatoes have been
guarded from its attacks and thus pre-
served free from the disease, while pota-
Toes. similarly situated in all other re-
spects save this protection. have become
diseased.
Moisture is the chief promoter Of the
evil. and while we cannot control the
weather. we should plant only in light
and well drained soil: should dig pota-
toes only in dry weather. and should
store themwherc they will remain dry and
moderately cool. IN regard 10 tempera-
ture. the fungus Is most active between
CO degs. and 20 i. gs. Falr. 1t IS said that
the tubers may also he disinfected by
soaking them for tweniy-four hours III
solution OF sulphate Of copper. four
10 six ounces II the copper IN enough
watert corera bushel OF potatoes. If we
can prevent the spores from terminating
ON the tops there will be little danger OF
fhe disease reaching the tuhers.
The experiments which have been
made with preparations Of suiphafe Of
copper. having this object in view, all
point one way and render it nearly GER
iain that the rot may be prevented by
praying the tops. upon the first sign Of
ihe malady, with the Bordeaux mixture
or some OF the other well known prepa-
rations OF copper sulphaie. Briefly: Sc
iecr for pi..a;ing light. sandy loan or
"A soil which is well drained: plant only
perfectly sound or disinfected seed;
spray the tops with the Bordeaux mix
ture or some preparation containing sui
phate of copper; store ia cool. dry
place. and keep dry. The tomato plant
h subject 10 the attacks Of the same
fungus which causes the potato rot. and
l. sometimes destroyed by IT, Those
who have endcayored by free applica-
tions Of the Bordeaux mixture TO ward
of these attacks have been successful