Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-04-11
IMPORTANT TO FARMERS
THE CANKER OR WART DISEASE
OF POTATO
Timely Warming to Gloucester County
Farmers

Timely Warming to Gloucester County
Farmers
The potato-growing interests of the
United States are threatened by one
of the most serious diseases known
to this important crop. 1t is known as
the canker, wart, black scab or cauli-
flower disease, and was first discover
ed in Hungary in 1896 and has spread
rapidly into Germany, France, Italy
Scandinavia, England, Wales, Scot
land, Ireland and Newfoundland. 1t
was first reported from Newfoundland
! in 1909, and has proved SO destructive
that the Canadian Government has
! published warnings to prevent its
spread.
The disease is due to a fungus
| (Chrysophlyctis endobiotica Schilb)
which attacks the tubers. In severe
cases the tubers will be more or less
covered with coral-like, scaly nodules
which are somewhat similar in ap-
pearance to the crown or root gall of
the apple, peach, berry and other
plants. These growths are irregular.
in shape, are not spongy and do not
break off readily. They are somewhat
! lighter in color at the base and are
dotted with small rusty brown spots
In some cases these nodules are larger
1 than the tubers themselves, and in
other cases the tubers are entirely
covered with them so as to be scarce
ly recognizable as such. When tubers
are only slightly affected, they may
escape the notice tfhe casual obser-
yer, but careful examination will
show that the eyes protrude slightly,
due to one or more nodules varying in
size from that of a pin-head to that
of pea. This peculiar growth rarely
appears on any part of the potato
/ other than the tuber, and for that
reason is very rarely detected until
digging time When the disease is
prevalent, it is safe to assume that all
tubers are diseased and the greatest
precaution must be taken to prevent
the spread of the disease The char
acter of the organism is such thai it
will live in the soil for a number of
years and can he eradicated only by
growing some other crops for at least
six years. In fact, it is doubtful if
the organism will die out completely
in that time.
Badly diseased tubers are absolute
ly worthless, and must be destroyed
/ by burying with quicklime. If not
boiled, the organism will be readily
4 distributed in the manure Slightly
/ infected potatoes may be used for
food, but the peelings must be burned
or boiled to destroy the organism. 1t
WILL therefore, be readily seen that it
ic 80 fo y, tryl,o do fac
disease on his farm to allow any part
of the crop to be removed. The dis
ease may also be transported from
field to field on the boots of the work
men and on the wheels of carts and
other farm implements.
1t will be readily seen that there are
two sources from which the disease
may be easily introduced into this
country at any time: 0) from Euro
pean potatoes which are annually i'm
ported for food; and (2) from New
foundland. The annual importation of
potatoes (mostly from Europe) has
varied in the past few years approx
imately from 1900 to 100000 bush
els. However, owing to the great
shortage in the 1911 crop, the impor-
tation for 1912 will be exceptionally
large. Fortunately, these potatoes
are intended for food, but some OF
them may be used for seed by unsu-
specting persons. When we consider
the destructiveness of this disease and
rapidity with which it spreads, the
danger cannot be overestimated. In
fact, diseased potatoes have been i'm
/ ported, but were fortunately discover
ed and destroyed. Experts who have
been making a study of this subject
fully expect the early introduction OF
this disease unless the importation OF
4 potatoes from the infected districts
can be stopped.
Fortunately our trade from New
foundland is small, but if the disease
should once gain a foothold in Maine
our desire for nothern-grown seed
would lead to its rapid distribution
Throughout the country. When once
present it cannot be checked except by
the most heroic measures, and may
prove as destructive to the potato as
the bark disease has been to the
chestnut
All potato growers are urged to
make careful examination of their
seed potatoes, noting especially the
appearance of the eyes. Throw out all
except those which are absolutely
healthy The planting of a single dis
eased tuber may result in the destroy
ing of the industry, not only for your
self but your neighbors and many
others. Suspicious tubers should be
sent to this office for examination
Healthy tubers should be smooth and
the eyes should be whitish, rose or
purp1ish in color
1t would also be we'll for the growers
to experiment with the growing OF
their own seed in the future. 1t has
mot been demonstrated that it is al
ways necessary or desirable to use
northern grown seed
4 The prevention of this disease de
pends upon the growers of potatoes
There is no law by which the United
4 States Government can prevent the i'm
DOrfafiQn of DOfatOeS from districts