The Elbert County tribune., 1903-03-12
RemeaIe. for plant pIseasea.

s. NJ. Bradbury. horticultural inspec-
tor of Mesa county. Colorado. has is
sued the following circular to the fruit
growers and farmers of the county;
In my Investigations last summer
found a number OF diseases, that had
been very injurious to the crops and
trees. that can be very largely mid-
gated by care ard treatment II given
attention at the proper time.
/ find that the potato blight has ex-
tended over most Of the country and
that the crop was very materially af-
fected in some sections. and conditions
are likely to be much worse during the
coming season If not held in check.
The disease can often be seen on the
potato. II frequently has the appear
ance of dark spots, mistaken for dirt;
then, again. the skin Of the tuber may
be very rough-sometimes quite dark
colored. After the seed is planted and
begins to grow. the fungi will attack
the sprout. soon causing II to decay and
die. The stem may have become strong
enough and thrown out roots above
the attacking point of the fungi; in that
case the tops may not die, but Will
probably keep green and produce few
very small potatoes. ! found the most
damage to the stock near the top of the
ground, the tops OF the plant turning
yellow. and. when pulled up. the stem
was decayed and very soft.
Ground that has been planted to po-
tatoes should be rotated II there has
been any disease. The fungi will prob
ably live in the ground two or three
years.
The best remedy that has been found
is the following:
Corrosive Sublimate one ounce
water eight gallons.
To make the solution. place the cor
rosive sublimate in an earthen or wood
en- vessel and pour in ore gallon Of hot
water. As soon as dissolved. pour the
mixture into a wooden vessel contain
ing seven gallons of water. Then put
the seed potatoes into this solution and
let them remain for one and one-half
/ hours. After removing. the potatoes
should dry two days before planting.
This solution is a deadly poison and
should be used with extreme caution.
All parties wishing a detailed state
ment of this disease. 1 would respect
fully refer to Bulletin Moro. Agricultur-
al Experiment Station, Ft Collins, Colo
rado.
In the last two years there has de-
veroped blight on the roots of apple
trees that is becoming rather serious.
and 1t seems to be something new. AS
yet none of the horticultural experts
have given IT name. ! have found II
in number of orchards; at first 1t was
thought to be from the effects of seep-
age. but IL occurs in some orchards
that are well drained. The results Of
its rayages first appear on the edge OF
the leaves, which turn brown and on
which brown spots in the center are
sometimes found. II usually begins on
one side of the tree. and finally the
whole tree withers and dries up.
The blight apparently attacks the
fine hairs of the root first. thus cutting
OF the supply of nutriment TO the tree
| am inclined to think that the disease
can be carried in the soil through irri-
eating waters from one tree to another.
| have been somewhat successful in
treating this disease with sulphate OF
copper When | find tree affected
dig out, around the trunk for about
three feet. uncovering the roots. and
place about three pounds of the sui
phate. in rather small pieces, in the
excavation. then fll In the dirt and
irrigate Where a number of trees are
affected. very good success has been
experienced in checking the spread Of
this disease by making a ditch around
tndt part Vi tne brcndIu III Which tHs
blighted trees are located. then deposit
ing the snlphate OF copper along the
bottom of the trench and turning on
the water and letting 1t run very
slowly.
quite a number OF trees were lost last
season by not being cared for at the
proper time.
Whenever dead leaves are found.
pruning should be resorted to unspar-
ingly. and care should be taken that all
the diseased limbs and twigs are cut
OF below the affected parts. the cut
tings should be burned. When pruning
carry along vessel containing For
maldehyde. one part, water, two
parts. dip your shears In this solution
after cutting each limb. and have a
small brush or swab and apply some OF
the mixture TO places where limbs are
ont m