The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-05-13
On Timely Topics Of Plant Pests.

From the Division of Economic
Zoology Department of Agricul-
ture. By H. A. Surface, State
Zoologist, Harrisburg, Pa, May 4,
1909. No. 1.
TREATMENT OF SEED POTATOES TO
PREVENT scAB.
The subject of the treatment of
seed potatoes to prevent scab was
brought to the attention of the Di-
vision of Economic Zoology of the
Department of Agriculture of Penn.
sylvania by Mr.. r. J. Belt of Wells
vile, York Co., Pa, Treasurer of
the Wells Whip Company. Mr..
Belt treated his potatoes with BIZ
chloride of murcury. having dis
solved two ounces of corrosive sub
Innate in Is gallons of water.
Three times this quantity of the
mixture was used on 40 bushels Of
potatoes.
State Zoologist H. A. Surface re-
piled that he prefers formalin to
corrosive sublimate for scab treat
ment. This is because the forma-
lin, or formaldehyde, dissolves i'm
mediately in water, it being liq-
uid itself when in the commercial
form, and it does not corrode any
material by coming in contact with
and drying upon it as the corrosive
snblimate might do. After having
killed the disease germs it evapo-
rates and is gone, SO that no evil
after-effects can come from it. 1t
is quickly and easily prepared, and
its action upon ones hand will not
be anywhere near as serious as the
corrosive sublimate solution.
To prepare the mixture put 80
gallons of water into barrel, to
which add one pint of the formalin
solution. This about equals one
half ounce to a gallon. This may
appear weak, but it is strong
enough to destroy the scab germs.
Put the potatoes in bagf, and the
bags into barrels, and pour enough
of the foregoing solution of forma-
lin and water into the barrel to
cover the bags, and let stand Cor
an hour. After that take the po-
tatoes out Of the bags and let them
drain. Other potatoes can be put
in the bags and immersed for the
treatment. The liquid can be used
again and again as long as any re-
mains. 1t should be kept covered
to prevent escape of The fumes or
evaporation, and II would be we'll
10 strengthen it occasionally by adj
ding little more of the solution.
The potatoes can be treated either
before or after cutting, but if they
ire not 10 be planted soon, dipping
before cutting is best. They can
De dried in crates or in barrels, or
spread on the barn floor, after the
same has been swept completely
ind.scrubbed with a solution of the
:ormalin or bichloride, whichever
IS being used.
DO NOT SPRAY BLOSSOMS.
The owners of fruit trees who in
:end spraying their trees to pre-
vent diseases and kill the codling
moth larva are advised by Prof.
Surface of the Division of Econo-
mic Zoology of the Pennsylvania
Department of Agriculture not to
pray the blossoms, but to wait un-
ii after the petals have dropped,
)r more than three -fourths are
lown. Injury will be caused to
he blossoms if they are sprayed
When open, but the spraying should
not be delayed after the blossoms
lave fallen. To secure the best
results the spray must be applied
within six days after the blossoms
all, and second spraying should
re done ten days or two weeks af-
er the first application to prove eff
ectual.
The following are the objections
spraying tree when in bloom:
/. There is no definite pest fol
which the spray is applicable al
nat time. and each spraying should
,e for something definite.