Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-04-29
Notes From Our Agricultural College.
by Prof E. S. Golf, Horticulturist.l

Notes From Our Agricultural College.
LBy Prof E. S. Golf, Horticulturist.l
POTATO sCAB AND HOW 1T MAY BE PRE-
VENTED.
The rough, brown scab often found
on the surface of potatoes Injuries
their appearance and selling price.
Careful investigation has taught that
the scab is caused by a fungous par
asite that, like all fungi, is developed
from spores (seeds). Scabby pota-
toes infested with the spores Of the
fungus when planted carry the dis
ease to the new tubers, and thus per-
petuate the trouble. To avoid scabby
potatoes then the farmer must plant
seed which is tree from scab, or on
which the spores of the scab have
been destroyed Experiments show
that the trouble can be greatly les
sened or prevented by proper treat
ment of the seed potatoes.
To treat seed potatoes, dissolve
two and one-fourth ounces of cor
rosive sublimate (Which may be pur-
chased at any drug store) in two or
three gallons of hot water, using a
wooden pail when dissolved, pour in
to barrel and add sufficient water
to make fifteen gallons in all of the
solution. Free the seed potatoes of
dirt by washing, if necessary, and see
that they have no sprouts on them;
empty the potatoes into the barrel
containing the solution and allow
them to remain one hour and a half,
at the end of which time they should
be taken out and other lots treated
with the same water The seed may
be easily handled by placing in bag
! or basket and immersing In the sOlu-
ton.
Since corrosive sublimate is a
deadly poison to all human beings
and animals, and very corrosive to
metals, the following directions
should be observed:
1. No one should handle the poi
son except those who know of its
deadly character.
2. Do not place the solution In
metal pals or vessels, as it will cor
rode them. Use wood pals or bar
rels for holding the liquid.
3. Any seed potatoes so treated
should be destroyed at once if they
are not planted, as they may poison
animals eating them.
Since the solution is weak, the seed
potatoes can be handled for cutting,
planting, etc, without any injury to
the hands.
This treatment is now used by in
teIligent potato growers, and is
strongly recommended to our readers
as practical and something worth
trying this spring by all who are
troubled with scabby potatoes.
When pota toes treated as above re-
commended are planted upon new
ground, or upon ground which has
not grown potatoes for some years,
the crop is generally free from scab;
but if potatoes are planted on ground
that grew scabby potatoes within
two or three years, the prevention Is
generally but partial, AS many of the
spores of the scab remain in the
ground ready to attack the young
potatoes as they grow.
| THE FARMERS POTATO CULTURE Bull
LETIN.
The United States Department of
Agriculture has recently issued a
| most excellent. bulletin on the Gull
ture of Potatoes, which should be In
The hands OF every Wisconsin farmer
reader of these notes In this bull
letin the results of all experiments in
! potato culture carried on at the va
lious experiment stations have been
compiled, and other important mat
tiers presented in brief, simple
language. All phases Of the subject
are treated. Any reader particularly
interested IN potato growing should
write for this bulletin, addressing
coffee OF Experiment Stations, De-
partment of Agriculture, Washington,
d. c."
A NEW PEsT-THE SAN JOSE SCALE. Sc
AS though there was not trouble
with another insect pest which may
prove as serious in its way AS did the
potato beetle years ago.
The San Jose scale of the Pacific
coast was introduced into a New
Jersey nursery about ten years ago,
and has since been distributed on
nursery stock from this source to
other states, so that 1T is now found
in Indiana, New York, Ohio and
Pennsylvania. 1t is possible that
this insect will live in the southern
half of our state, and, if SO, should it
find Judgment it will prove a most
serious insect enemy to all fruit trees
and many varieties of shade trees
and ornamental shrubs. Generally
the scale causes the death Of the
trees attacked in two or three years
unless prevented.
While the San Jose scale has not
yet been found in Wisconsin, how
long it's introduction may be pre-
vented remains to be seen. 1t will
likely be introduced by nursery stock
coming from infested nurseries AL
persons buying trees or shrubs should
refuse to purchase or receive from
eastern nurseries unless it shall bt
guaranteed in writing as freef from the
San Jose scale.
Those interested wishing to learr
just how this scale looks and other
important facts concerning it can Sc
cure the desired information from 6
bulletin recently issued on the Sar