The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-05-29
NEW POTATO DISEASE
Planning 10 Keep Powdery scab Out
OF Vermont

Of Vermont
Il was reported during the past win
ter that powdery scab. a new and in
fictitious potato disease. had bee.
found in certain sections OF Maine.
Deeming It highly important 10
find out II this disease had already oh
.ained a foot-hold in Vermont. the ag
ricultural extension service OF the
University of Vermont. through the
six county agricultural advisers, now
al work in the state. consented TO CO
operate with the department of agri-
culture in the way of collecting spec
imens OF scabby potatoes in their re-
spective counties, as did also interest
ed persons in some OF the other coun
ties OF the state.
These specimens were forwarded
to the bureaus of plant industry at
Washington where they were careful
~ examined for powdery scab. Since
every report received in Vermont has
been negative, il is fair to assume
that this state does not yet have this
disease II is. however. necessary TO
take steps Immediately to keep it out.
II is highly important that this be
done for several reasons. This dis
ease is highly infectious and will
spread rapidly when once 1t gets a
foothold. II causes. in its milder form.
the disfguration OF the tubers and,
therefore reduces the market value
OF the crop; while. under conditions
highly favorable to its development,
it may cause malformRtion of the Ia.
bers and almost complete loss.
Furthermore. Vermont has an ex-
cellent opportunity to develop high
ly profitable business In the growing
of, seed potatoes which will be jeopor
died IL this disease is allowed to
gain a foothold. because buyers OF
seed potatoes will seek sources of.
supply which are free from this OBJ
jeetionable disease.
In 1911 quantities OF European po-
tatoes were imported into Vermont
and, in spite of advice to the contra
~, some OF these potatoes were un-
doubtedly planted. All seed stock
which can he traced TO such an orr
gin should be carefully inspected and
scabby specimens should be sent to
the experiment station at Burlington
in order that II may be determined
II they are infected with powdery
scab.
Powdery scab has been found TO ex
st in certain sections of the state of
Maine. Since these sections are
source of supply for the leading seed
dealers of the United States, great
care should be taken to inspect all
seed purchased from outside the
state and If any of the potatoes so
purchased are infected with scab
specimens should be sent to the Yer
mont experiment station for examina
lion.
If seed stock was purchased out
side the state within a few years. es-
pecially If planted seed was import
ed from Europe, make very careful
examination.
II purchasing seed from Maine this
year have 1t understood with the par
ty from whom you purchase such
seed. that you will not accept il I'M
less the package bears the certificate
of inspection of the Maine depart
ment OF agriculture, showing freed
ON. from powdery scab
Make careful examination of all
seed purchased from outside the state
from whatever source, but especially
FROM Maine, and discard all scabby
tubers unless you are absolutely sure
that they are infected with common
scab, which may be destroyed by soak
ing the tubers for two hours in a So
luton of one pint of formaldehyde to
80 gallons Of water.
Report all large importations of
seed from Maine to the commissioner
OF agriculture, st. Adams, VT.