River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-04-30
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE NOTES.
BY PRoF. f. S. Corr. Horticulturist.

Inc rough, brown Scab often found
on the surface of potatoes Injuries their
appearance and selling price. Careful
investigation hrs taught that the scab
is caused by fungus parasite that,
like all fungi, is developed from spores
(seeds). Scabby potatoes infested with
the spores of the fungus when planted
carry the disease to the new tubers,
and thus perpetuate the trouble. To
avoid scaDby potatoes then, the farm
er must plant seed which is free from
scab, or on which the spores of the
scab have been destroyed. Expert
ments show that the trouble can be
greatly lessened or prevented by prop
er treatment of the seed potatoes.
To treat seed potatoes, dissolve q
ounces of corrosive sublimate (which
may be purchased at any drug store)
in two or three gallons of hot water,
using wooden pail; when dissolved,
pour into 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 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-
tion.
Since corrosive sublimate is deadly
poison TO all human beings and animals,
and very corrosive to metals, the fol-
lowing directions should be observed:
l. No one should handle the poison
except those who know of its deadly
character
2. Do not place the solution in metal
pals or vessels, as it will corrode them.
Use wood pals or barrels for holding
the liquid.
3. Any seed potatoes so treated
should be destroyed at once if they are
not planted, as they may poison ami
mails 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
telligent potato growers and is strong
ly recommended to our readers as
practical and something worth trying
this spring by all who are troubled
with scabby potatoes. When potatoes
treated as above recommended 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 re-
main in the ground ready to attack
the young potatoes as they grow
The Farmers Potato Culture Bulletin.
The United States Department of
Agriculture has recently issued most
excellent bulletin on the Culture of
Potatoes which should be in the hands
of every Wisconsin farmer reader of
these notes. In this bulletin the re-
SUI of all experiments in potato cul-
ture carried on at the various expert
ment stations have been compiled,
and other important matters pre-
sented in brief, simple language. All
phases of the subject are treated. Any
reader particularly interested in pota-
to growing should write for this bulle-
tin, addressing coffee Of Experiment
Stations, Department of Agriculture,
Washington, ID. c."
A Nelo Pest: The San Jose Scale.
As though there were not trouble
enough already, we are threatened
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 New Jer-
sey nursery about ten years ago, and
has since been distributed on nursery
stock from this source to other states,
so that it 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 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 its
introduction may be prevented re-
mains to be seen. 1t will likely be in
troduced by nursery stock coming
from infested nurseries. All persons
buying trees or shrubs should refuse
to purchase or receive from eastern
nurseries unless it shall be guaranteed
| in writing as free from the San Jose
scale.
Those interested wishing to learn
just how this scale looks and other i'm
portant Iacts concerning it can secure
the desired information from bulle-
tin recently issued on the San Jose
scale, which may be had by addressing
Secretary of Agriculture, Washing
/ ton, ID. c."
Rocky Mountain Tea is no patent
| humbug. 1t is Natures own life