Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-11-12

uS oessSoyeN ~ Keeping them Tor few
hSGrs Ia temperature Of from los to
ITO degrees-which does not fpiu.e the
potato for seed purposes. This
prevents one important source Of dan
ger to the growing crop The next
step Is: II we can prevent the spores
from terminating on the tops there will
be little danger Of the disease reaching
the tnbers. Experiments that have
already been made show that II
upon the first signs of the mslady
the top be sprayed with the Bordeaux
mixture Or some other Of the many we'll
known preparations Of the copper sui
phate |. will prevent its spreading
After being dug the tubers should be
kept In comparatively low and even
temperature especially where no damp
ness can collect about them. busting
with dry air slaked lime, one bushel TO
twenty-five bushels Of potatoes, will
materially aid their preservation. Final
ly, what we know Of the potato rot, and
what we ought to do may BE expressed
10 the following sphorism:
We know that potato rot ia due 10 the
attacks Of fungus.
We know that this fungus IL a para
site, and all kinds and varieties Of pota.
toes may be attacked by IT.
We know that high degree Of humid
ity is necessary for the development Of
the fungus, and tn at iss attacks are most
sirulepr during wet suItry weather.
We know that mean temperature Of
- degrees to 80 degrees Ia destructive 10
the parasite
We know that heavy, undralned land
and clayey soils favor the disease
We know the appearance OF the dis.
ease on the tops and how quickly these
may become affected by the rapid multi
plication OF the fungus and destroyed.
We know how seriously the taber'
may become affected, and how the loss
from rot may amount sometimes 60 more
bfid0 one Hall Di tine crop.
We know that these tubers are gen
orally infected by spores from the top,
washed into the soil by rains.
We know that the fungus in germinat-
ing usually produces zoospores, and thai
| zoospores are exceedingly minute par
ticles Of naked protoplasm, and thai
they are extremely sensitive to circum
stances nnfavorable to their further
development.
We know that these zoospores rest foi
q short time upon the surfaces OF thu
plants they are destined TO enter by fur
| ther development.
We know IL is by the penetration ol
these zoospores into the potato plants
that the latter become infected with
blight and rot.
We know that very minute quantities
of sulphate Of copper will destroy these
zoospores.
We know that the fungus enters the
,ubers, and that II these are placed where
It ia warm and damp that they will
quickly rot
We know that by keeping the tubers
dry and in il cool place that they are not
likely to rot, although the fungus may
already have obtained some growth in
them.
We know that the fungus lives through
the winter in the tubers, and that the
planting of such potatoes serves TO carry
infection into new crop.
We know that the fungus in the tubers
may generally be detected by discolora.
ton or browning OF the flesh underlying
the skin.
We know, from what has Just been
said. that such potatoes should never be
used for seed.
We know that the tubers may be dis
Infected by keeping them for a few
hours at temperature of from l02 de-
grees to 10 degrees, while the value Of
tubers for seed is not injured. 1t appears
from the above that:
We ought to disinfeet the seed.pota.
toes by heat if there is any question as
to their containing the parasite-remem
bering this cannot always be told by the
eye
We ought to select for planting a
light, sandy loan, or certainly soil
well drained.
We ought to thoroughly spray the tops
with some solution OF sulphate of cop
per that will adhere, in order to effect
the destruction of the zoospores that
may come upon them. After these
spores have penetrated the plants, and
the disease appeared, the application
will have comparatively little effect.
We ought to store our potatoes where
no dampness will collect about them,
and where The temperature is low. say
rs degrees to Is degrees.