Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-06-15

SPRAYING POTATOES.
For the Prevention Of Early and
Letc sifshts and ncctles.

For the IF-N eutiOn OF t-uriN anu
Letc sIishts and ncctles.
In some useful suggestions as 10
sprGying tive Rhode leland station says:
The most serious disease affecting the
potato Is commonly known as the late
blight Gni J. caused by the growth
within thu leaf Tissues of a fungus,
which may often be seen on the under
side Of an affected leaf as a delicate
white mildew; hence often called
potato 1nildew Its first appearance
Is denoted by brownish or purplish
black spots Oh tire leaves These spots.
under the favorable conditions of warm.
moi.t weather. spread very rapidly,
on involving the entire plant, which
b comes black and dropping and de
Gays raRidiy. emitting a peculiar, dis
agreoabLs odoT.
Early blight, sometimes called the
.lcat spDt'' disease. more especially
affects early potatoes and is also caused
by fungus. Ii may be recognized by
the appeaYaLco of small spots on the
leaves which slowly enlarge, forming
irregular. cuncentric rings. The foliage
dies prematurely, but does not decay,
nor DO the tubers, as when affected by
the late blight Yet if largely prevalent,
the diseeee very seriously affects the
yield not only IN quantity, but In quail
ity.
Tip burn Ia not caused by fungus,
as are the blights, but by unfavora
bic conditions affecting the growth of
the plant. especially dry, hot weather
and lack Of sufficient moisture
As both the early and late blights
are caused by fungi, the surest and
most perfect protection yet known
il the bordeaux mixture. This should
be- applied before the early blight
makes It's appearance, and the applica
tions contiDnei. as necessary, to keep
the plants covered with thin film of
the mixture until the tubers are grown
and mntured 1t should be borne in
mind that the correct idea in the use of
the bordeaux mixture Is prevention
rather than cure
The aporee Of these fungous diseases
~ they fall upon the foliage protected
by the mixture are prevented from en-
tering the boet plant by the film of cop
per compounds and thus prevented from
propagating the diseases
Three 20 five applications Will per
haps be sufficient. yet the weather con
ditions must govern tho number of
treatmentl as, If heavy showers or
rains occur. extra sprayings mny De
necessary ~ tosep the plants we'll pro
tected
In the Case Of the late blight. se-
lecting seed from fields that were free
from tho disase and planting tubers
entirely free from infection are sug
gested us checks 10 the diseaso Tho
spores Of this disease live over winter
IN infected tubers; hence. If such are
planted. they may become centers Of
infection by introducing the disease.
Tip barn can only be combated by
thorough preparation. proper fertiliza-
tion. concerning tho moisture In very
dry senaons by proper cultivation. and
making every condition favorable for
e0rly. vigorous growth, thur giving
more power 10 Withstand the attack OF
discaae
The Colorado beetle ig the most trou
bEceome enemy. although tho flea beetle.
u very small block beetle which attacks
the plants during the early stages of
growth. sometimes oausea considerable
injury hy piarcing the leaves full Of
small holcA. and thus rendering the
plants weaker and more liable TO ut.
taclss Of dipuse. The Colorado beetle Is
eaaiIy controlled without extra labor
by using from three-quarters of pound
to pound Of paris green per acre in
the first two or three applications Of
the bordeaux mixture as needed The
bordeaux mixture Is algo very distaste
ful 10 the hca beetles, and they VIII do
comparatively little dnmnao where II
IL used