The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-04-27

AopAtS llCAC IS III way u pOlSouiL6
the larvae and the only remedy is to
thoroughly rake all vines in infested
fields and burn them. All of the po-
tato pests feed upon the jamestown
weed horse nettle and other weeds of
the n~ightshade family Or solanacea,
and they should be kept cut out of the
fence lines and irrigation bitches.
Flea Beetles.
Sometimes the small, black potato
flea beetle is very injurious on the
potato, tomatoe and egg plant vines.
1t is only one sixteenth of an inch
long, jet black n rather hard to To-
cate unless careful observation is
made. They usually work on the
young leaves, Kidding them with
holes, appearing as though they had
been hit with a fine charge of shot
The Paris green combination with the
Bordeaux is the best spray to control
this pest.
There is one fungus disease of the
potato, tomato and egg plant vines.
given close attention by every potato
grower. 1t not only mars the appear
ance of the tubers, u it destroys the
quality, making them watery and
strong in flavor. 1t also makes them
u~nmarketable. l have seen a few
scabby potatoes cut down the price
of a ~wagonload or carload several
cents per bushel, which meant very
expensive scabbed potatoes.
1t is a disease and is we'll known to
most growers, dealers and consumers,
yet there are some people who try to
deceive their better judgment by not
admitting the fact. The disease is
common throughout the United States
and the potato growing sections of
Europe. The fungus causing this dis
ease (Oospora Scabies) also attacks
turnips, beets and mangels, hence po-
tatoes should never follow these crops
until some other cultivated crop is
grown on the field at least one year.
There are two methods of control of
his disease. First select clean seed
and plant in clean soil. Second. If
the seed is scaled, theat it before
cutting by soaking two hours in a
solution of one ounce of formalin to
two gallons of water, OF soa 80 min
utes in a solution of one ounce of
bichloride of mercury dissolved in IS
gallons of water. Sacks or crates in
which the potatoes are handled should
be treated also.
Potato Blight.
There are several types of blight
which attacks the potato.
The potato blight caused by the
microbe (Bacterium solana cearum) is
,yar. a,;~,,. l.a.o.. l-A H.,
it is not yet prevalent in this section.
Whole fields when stricken will wilt
in one night. The parts of the stem
attacked die off suddenly and the
tubers have a dark discoloration of the
tissue, usually in rings close to the
exterior Of the tuber.
This disease is easily detected by
the smell of the diseased vines which
can be detected by simply passing a
field.
Early Leaf blight is a premature
] spotting n dying Of the leaves due
to The fungus (Alternaria solani). This
prematurely ripens the tubers and rot
ting is usually the result.
The Dry Rot fungus (Fusaruim OK
ysporum) is very easily brought into
clean territory by the Introduction of
seed from infected sections.
This is quite easily detected as the
dry rot will show in patches on the
surface of the tuber. Imported seed
should be carefully examined and if
any suspicious appearances are mani
fest it should not be planted.
The potato blights can all be con-
trolled by the use of the Bordeaux
spray, being used as a preventative.
The %arsenates can be combined with
it and better results will follow in not
only controlling the potato beetles and
increasing the yield but it is an in
surance policy for a good crop.
There are some other newer insects
and diseases which the federal gov
eminent has quarantined against,
such as potato eel-Worm, s~pongospora
scab, black potato canker, which in
countries where they exist threaten
to destroy the industry. Cuts and
descriptions of them will be given
later.