Milford chronicle., 1891-03-13
swErr ParAro wHITE RoT.


The white rot causes portions Of the tuber
to become white aud chalk-like. ''The trou
Bile is first noticed by the slight depression
in the root at the base Of one OF more Of
the hairs. These depressious continue to
enlarge and deepen, and in bad cases, sew
erai may become continent, and finally the
whole Of the potato is Of chalky eonsis.
tency aud consequently worthless" The
fungus causing this disease is not positively
identified, and no remedy is suggested.
DRY ROT OF SWEET POTATO.
In the dry rot (F2topia bataiT) ''the whole
upper end Of the root becomes dry, much
wrinkIed, and exhibits upon the surface a
multitude Of pimples. The whole substance
of the potato is diseased, and, with the ex'
ception Of certain pits for the production Of
spores. there is very little change of color,
while an almost powdery condition of the
substance has replaced the previous Juicy
tissue Of the root, as seen in health" As
this form Of rot is as yet only occasionally
met with, there is no cause for alarm from
it; but the fungus nature Of the dry o. PIN
piy rot being established, it is evident that
as q safe preventive, all such decayed pota-
toes should he destroyed aud not allowed to
remain upon the soil, where the countless
spores may mature and spread the tfouble.
All possible precautions should be taken in
clearing away the rubbish after each crop"
SWEET POTATO sCRUF.
The sweet potato scruf (IfoAiloehefes
fnJuscens) covers the tubers with rusty
coat. SIN some soils, nearly every potato
will be wholly or in part covered with
scruf, while elsewhere the roots are free from
it. It is quite Questionable, for while not
causing the delay of the roots, there is a
shrinkage Of the potatoes, and for this rea-
son and the less attractive appearance, the
market value of scurfy potatoes IS a half
dollar or so per barrel below those that are
bright and clean" The scurf is found upon
the roots above the potatoes, particularly
upon that portion from which all the pota-
toes arise. No attempts have been made to
find a remedy for this trouble. 1t is likely
that the fungus may pass from a scurty
root used for propagation,to to the sprouts de-
veloped from it, and therefore it is pre-
caution to use, if possible, roots that are
bright and free from the scurf. 1t is also
possible that some quality of the soil may
favor the growth of this dark mould, and
when this is known, something may be done
to reduce the trouble. Some kinds Of ma
nure may favor its development, aud it is
likely that something could be applied to
the freshly dug potatoes that would check
the spread of the scurf."
LEAF DISEASES OF SWEET POTATO.
The leaf blight (Ph1lIosffefa 6afafieota)
produces white dead patches upon the leaves
and often seriously Injuries the plant 1t
can probably be held in check by spraying
with some of the fungicides. The leaf
mould (Cysf0bus Lbomee- -PaMdHraNe) is a
serious sweet potato pest. "The affected
leaves at first lose their healthful green color,
and the paleness is soon followed by brown
patches that after time become quite dark.
Upon the under side there may be seen
small patches of whitish color These are
places where the leaf-skiu has been broken,
and multitudes OF white fungus spores have
formed The fungus thrives upon a wild
morning glory or man-of-the-earth (LpOnesa |
Bandurafa) which grows ia Jersey and
southwark, and this weed should be de-
stroyed.