Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-03
Potato Growers
Must Vigorously
Combat Diseases

washington, d. c.. March 1.-More gen.
eral and concerted efforts on the part OF
potato growers are needed to combat GER
tain diseases which threaten to impair
the yigor of the seed stock and to cause
the deterioration of varieties, according
to the United States department of agri-
cultures investigator. To open the way
for more efficient measures of control for
potato diseases that have not always been
definitely understood a new bulletin is
now issued entitled Potato Wilt Leaf
Roll. and Related Diseases" 1t can be
had free on application to the United
States department of agriculture Wash
ington, ID. c.
The group of potato diseases treated in
the new bulletin now raises q problem or
increasing Importance to practical agrl-
culture in different countries throughout
the world. Environment has a most I'M
portant influence on crops in the several
states and in foreign countries There
fore great care is needed to determine
exactly which method of control is best in
each specific instance where disease is
present. The bulletin wishes particularly
to emphasize the fact that the same sys-
that will free the potato fields of wilt,
leaf-roll and curly-dwarf. will not only
bring under control blackleg and some
other diseases, but will insure the main
tenance of the strains cultivated in their
most vigorous condition and free from
objectionable mixtures with other Harie-
ties.
Losses from the late-blight and rot oc-
cur mainly in the northern states This
causes particularly heavy losses during
cool and humid seasons. In the states
east of the Mississippi and north of the
ohio this disease is particularly common
It is now successfully compatted by
snrayinc with bordeaux mixture. 1t is also
hoped that more disease-reslstaht Varie-
ties will soon aid in. controlling this
blight.
To the south early blight and tip-burn
play a greater roll than the late-blight III
injury to the potato crop. Early elight
Is apparently not so common In the cooler
and more uniform climate of northern
Europe. Nor does one find there that up
burn is as common as here, where hlsh
simmer temperatures combine with the
Injuries of flea beetles and other insects
70 cause excessive Transportation and its
CONSEQUENT marginal burning of the
leaves. Here also the logical line or at
tack seems to be the production of varie-
Ties possessing heat resistance.
With the progress OF studies or this
nroblem other potato diseases have been
recognized in the United States. Some OF
these. like the brown-rot, had doubtless
been long prevalent, while others, ike
the blackleg, appear to have been recent
ly introduced from Europe.
A new group of diseases came into
prominence about 10 years ago which had
not hitherto been recognized as OF
economic Importance. Soon after there
occurred In Europe an outbreak of dis
ease known as 'leaf-roll." This affection
caused heavy losses in Germany and Aus
tria and elsewhere, though it has not
been as generally destructive as was
feared Whether it is the same as an
American disease is still a subject or
controversy. One of the main objects of
the investigators of potato diseases in
the department of agriculture is to dis
tinguish between American and European
troubles, so that If the disease originally
occurs in this country it may be con-
trolled, and IL it originates in Europe 1t
may be kept out by quarantine.
Teh departments new bulletin contains
numerous Illustrations of new diseases
that are to cleared by potato growers.
II growerslwill realize more clearly the