The Republican journal., 1905-07-13
PROTECT the POTATOES.
Dr.. G. NJ. Twitchell Gives Our Farmers
Good Advice.

LII. ". u. 4WltCuCA SAVSS WI EoAAASA .
Good Advice.
DR.. G. NJ Twitchell gives the follow
ing good advice in the New York Trib-
une Farmer.
Although the potatoes are just break
ing ground on the farms of Maine, the
time has come to sound the warning
and prepare TO fight the Colorado beetle.
For two years these destroyers of the
crop have not been present in the num-
bers formerly seen, but in going over
the fields during the last few days l
find the old beetles in large numbers
and evidently prepared for business.
The lesson of 1904 confirmed only what
the scientist and eXperimenter had all
along been emphasizing, the absolute
necessity of protecting the growth OF
the plant and the saving of every leaf
in order to insure the largest harvest
and make possible the finer quality,
which, in the large markets, must ever
determine the price and settle the ques-
ton of profit. Fertilization and thor
ough cultivation cannot be neglected;
the food for large crop must be avail
able in the best possible form ready to
be drawn upon every moment, from
the instant the tiny stalk begins to
breathe until the ripened harvest day.
And it is just as necessary that there
be complete protection from insect
pests, rust and blight, or the flat peck
etbook,will tell the story of failure.
Who is there who enjoys reviewing
the work of a season with the con-
seriousness that it has brought nothing,
or very little, to recompense for toll
and worry. If this comes because of
drouth or floods, because of influences
beyond the control of man, it is bad,
but infinitely worse if he has been the
contributing cause through neglect. 1t
may we'll be accepted that success in
potato growing is impossible unless
there is complete protection from the
ravages of the potato bug, the blasting
influence of rust and blight.
The fact must also be accepted that
this protection rests in the hands of
the man who grows the crop and that
failure resulting from either is to be
charged directly to him. Responsibility
here is certain and it is fortunate it is
So for it prompts to those active meas
ures for protection so we'll established
and SO frequently urged. The only time
to commence the use of the inSectlcide is
before the slugs begin their work. The
trouble is the great majority wait until,
when going through the fields, they find
that the eggs have Matched and the
work of destruction has commenced. II
the work of protection by spraying was
thorough last year the numbers of bugs
will be reduced, but unfortunately there
are always enough who will not spray,
and who always wait to insure a full
crop of the pests which affiict and in
nj nd DO
thorough work. Don't be content with
a low pressure sprayer, but get the best.
If you are growing less than three acres
pressure complete four rows horsepoW-
er sprayer costing 500 too much, and
in that case the best thing to do is to
make the purchase or use neighbor-
hood matter One sprayer will do the
work on number Of farms, and any
man can afford to pay dollar an acre
each time his field is gone over. Hand
spraying is too expensive to be consid-
cred outside the garden, and co-opera-
ton makes possible What oftentlmes is
beyond the reach of the individual. n
possible yield of three hundred bushels
an acre will pay any man for giving the
closest attention to all details, no mat
ter how eXactlng.
Instead of waiting for the slugs to
show their activity, spraying should
begin, and begin thoroughly, before the
eggs are laid. The only safe potato
bug is a dead one. AS Bordeaux mix
ture will aid materially in holding the
insecticile to the leaves and will surely
Ueutralize to some extent the poison
Gus effect of Paris green, if that be used
it is Well to commence the work with
the lime and copper sulphate at the
first spraying. For one, | shall not
use Paris green on our five acre piece,
preferring the safer and equally as sure
bug destroyer, bug death; but the same
combination will be made throughout
the bug season. Insist upon the purity
OF the copper suiphate, and to insure
this buy only of the most reliable
dealers. See to it also that only fresh
lime is used as any failure in the cop
per sulphate will be a serious matter
later, and a poor grade OF lime Will
surely fail to neutraliZe the acid in the
copper sulphate. resulting i'll the burn
ing of the leaves. The Importance of
relying upon the best and purest can
not be urged too strongly. There is too
much at stake to take chances in
spraying solutions, whether insecti-
Gluto VI IullglClutS. having pure III
gradients, the matter of mixing must
claim attention, and while the instruc-
ton i'll the bulletins are clear they may
we'll be emphasized, for thoroughness
at every step will pay big interest.
Many a man lost heavily last year
because he Thought two or three
sprayings enough" There's no room
here for guess work. Spraying must
be commenced before the eggs hatch
and continued every ten or twelve
days until the vines die, and by spray
ing they will be kept green longer than
otherwise, even if not struck by rust.
When we keep in mind the fact that
the essential part of the potato-the
Starch-is deposited the last six weeks
of the life of the plant, we realize the
Importance of protecting every leaf,
for it is doubtless i'll the elaboration of
the sap in the leaves that starch is
deposited. Every consideration points
to the complete preservation Of the
leaves to as late date as possible, and,
for this to be insured, spraying must be
thoroughly followed throughout the
season. Potatoes are cash crop, and
the more cash in hand the better for all
concerned, hence these suggestions