The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-10-29
AFRAID Of
THE BLIGHT
Potato Crop on
Maui Will Be
Small.
CONDITIONS ON
THE OTHER ISLE
Prof. Sedswick Of Experimental
Station Reports Results of
His Investigations.

Prof T. F. Sedgwick of the United
Station Experimental station returned
on the Claudine Sunday from Maui
where he went to investigate the potato
/ blight. Because of the blight very
small crop was planted this year, and
/ the greater part of the 5000 acres of
/ fertile soil was devoted to the cultiva-
ton of corn. The United States Elk
pertinent station will very likely con-
tinue the investigation of the blight
and will probably send some one to the
other island very soon to make further
experiments, to find not only a remedy
4 for the blight but also to experiment
with fertilization and other important
matters
/ II spent most of my time in the Kula
district which is given over almost en-
tirely to the cultivation of potatoes and
1 corn" said Mr. Sedgwick yesterday.
About 5000 acres are available there.
but this year most of it has been plant
ed in corn because of the damaging ef-
feet of the blight last year upon the
potatoes. There is a considerable
amount of potatoes also planted be-
tween the rows of corn.
The corn crop this year will be light
because of the dryness of the season.
There has been considerable need of
/ they had 35 inch rainfall, which was
a Godsend to them. The corn is ripen-
ing rapidly, and some is being cut now,
all according to the elevation at which
it is planted.
The potato growers had to contend
with a combination of troubles; the
! blight last year kept many from plant
ing this season. This blight occurs gem
orally when the soil is in moist con-
dftion and in a moderately warm tenn
! perature. The blight was very severe
|, last year owing to the continued damp
ness, while this season which has been
very dry, it has been very little felt.
: "Caterpillars have also been causing
trouble, but the farmers prevent them
from doing much damage by the use
of a mixture of flour and Paris green
This preventive is acting very we'll
/ The potato growers also have the
peelua or cut-worm to contend with
They have a novel way of Kidding the
vines from this pest by digging ditch
, around the patch in which the worm
, falls, and then can't so any further
e The blight from which the vines are
suffering is characteristic of the potato
rot which affects that plant in other
countries. 1t can be prevented. SO it /:
( thought at the Experiment Station, by
the application of a bordeaux mixture
: Clime and copper sulphate). The bligh
is a fungus disease and the bordeau2
should be sprayed upon the vine where
it will kill the fungus and prevent i
from getting on the leaves. One cause
of the blight it IS thought is the use
, of poor seed potatoes The japanese
keep the poorer potatoes for seed, ant
sell the best qualities An attempt wa:
made year ago by Manager vor
Tempsky of Haleakala Ranch to in
troduce a good seed, and he imported {
ton of the best quality. but the tenants
did not take kindly to the idea, anC
used only a few pounds, so that the re
suits could not be learned.
Potatoes on the field are selling fO
= from $175 to $500 a sack and the yielC
o is from one and half to four tons pc
t acre. This last yield is excellent.
= The people were most hospitable anC
: offered the Experiment Station ever!
] opportunity to investigate. The peopl
over there are experimenting on thei
0 own account with many fruits AM
. vegetables. They have successful!
. grown neetarines and peaches, though
U only as an experiment.
The Japanese beetle is steadil.
climbing higher and has arrived som
$500 feet above the sea level owe
there
Il visited HaleakaIa Ranch and wa
much impressed with the systemati
and business like way in which it i
being conducted The stock is bein'
constantly increased and many usefu
experiments are carried on.
They are protecting the forests b,
fences and the results are most remark
able, the young trees are coming VI
nicely though the borer is causing som
trouble. The eucalyptus is now grow
ing from the sea to distance of $50
: feet above sea level, Manager Vol
Tempsky putting out great man!
each year"
Prof Sedgwick may be sent to Mau
again to conduct a series OF experl
ments with the blight, soil and max
, other tests for the information OF tn
farmers there.