The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-06-26
An Improved Potato Spray.

Having made some experiments the
past two seasons in controlling bugs,
blight and rot Of the potato, l have OBJ
tanned some results that we're sur
prise to me, and which l hope will be
Of value to the potato-growers OF New
York and elsewhere, as we'll as to my
self. In these experiments great care
was taken to have the condition Of soil
alike as to filth and fertility, the aim
being to see which of the different ways
would give the best results both in
preventing blight and rot, and In free
ing the vines from bugs and insects.
The potatoes were Of one variety,
planted on the Same day, May %, and
given the same care in every respect.
Rows and 2 we're sprayed with
Paris green and Bordeaux mixture,
three sprayings. Result, yield OF $50
bushels per acre. Rows and 4, spray =
ed with Paris green alone, three spray
ings; yield, at rate OF 155 bushels.
Rows and 6, sprayed with Bug Death
alone, three sprayings; yield, 1876 bush
els. Rows 7 and s, sprayed with Bug
Death and Bordeaux mixture, three
sprayings; yield, 275 bushels.
The difference in yield of those
sprayed with Bug Death and Bordeaux
mixture over those sprayed with Paris
green and Bordeaux mixture was SO
bushels per acre, while the difference
in yield of those sprayed with Bug
Death and Bordeaux mixture over
those sprayed with Paris green alone
was 120 bushels per acre. Rows and
4, sprayed with Paris green alone, died
first. Rows and 2, sprayed with
Paris green and Bordeaux mixture
next, followed closely by those sprayed
with Bug Death alone, and about three
weeks later by those sprayed with Bus
Death and Bordeaux mixture.
This was practically the same as il
worked in the season of 1899 for me
the potatoes being white with blossoms
for six weeks, and growing a large
number of potato balls. Others who
used Bug Death and Bordeaux mix
ture here the past season got nearly thu
same large differences in yield that l
did. have never seen any account o
an experiment station using Bug Deatl
and Bordeaux mixture together.
should be pleased to see other growers
give this mixture a fair trial the com
ing season. After using it for two
years 1 am convinced that it will in.
crease the yield Of the average potat,
field at least IS bushels per acre over
Paris green and Bordeaux mixture
keeping the vines green from two t,
three weeks longer, largely increasing
the size,of the tubers, and making The
quality all that can be desired
In mixing Bug Death and Bordeaux
mixture never add the lime water tc
Bug Death, as it will greatly injure it
SluNACIS(' DlooOlNO tuO SOppOl SUI
plate in one-third of the number o
gallons to be mixed, slake the lime iu
one-third, and mix the Bug Death il
the Other third, using rainwater, ant
of Bug Death, use at rate OF II ID. To-
every ten gallons of the rainwater wheI
ready for use. After the copper sui
phste is dissolved, mix that and the
Bug Death water together, stir thor
oughly, and then add the Gmewater
When mixed properly have found i
to be far more effective in Kidding thu
vines of the potato beetle than Pari
green, and much more efficient in pre-
venting blight and rot than Bordeaux
mixture alone or Bordeaux mixture
and Paris green.-E. A. Rogers il
| Country Gentleman.