Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1914-02-12
POWOtRY SCAB
OF THE POTATO
Important to the Growers of
White Potatoes.
BULLETIN FROM STATE
lssu d From the Office Of the State
Pathologist at New
Brunswick.

his Serious european disease of
tie potato is already established in
the British possessions to the north
and threatens to invade the potato
growing districts of the United States.
1t is very similar in general appear
ance to the common scab, but is due
to an entirely different organism
tSpongospora. sugterranea). Some
forms of the disease are extremely
diff cult to distinguish from the COM
mon scab, but well-marked cases may
be recognized by the fact that the
scab spots, or cankers, are filed with
brownish powder and frequently by
slight peeling or rolling back of the
epidermis Immediately surrounding
the spot
This disease is well known through
out Europe and within the past year
and half has been found to be quite
prevalent in the eastern part of the
British possessions to the north Of US.
1t has also been found in Maine, but
we have no reason to believe that ii
has become established there. It NAV
occur in other parts of the country,
1t is frequently quite severe and the
cause of heavy losses. When the land
is thoroughly infected, it becomes nee
essary to discontinue the growing OF
potatoes for several years in order
that the organism causing the disease
may die out. There is no satisfactory
method of seed treatment.
New Jersey farmers should use ev-
cry possible precaution to prevent the
introduction and spread of this disease
and other diseases. (D They should
not buy seed potatoes from localities
where the disease is known to exist
(2) Seed tubers should be sorted care
fully and all that show any signs OF
any disease whatever should be
thrown out. go The selected seed
tubers should be treated with formal
dehyde (formalin) or corrosive subli-
mate. (4) All tubers that show any
signs of discoloration when cut should
be thrown out, not because of the
powdery scab, but because of other
diseases. (5) Each cutter should use
two knives, one of which should be
kept in cup of strong formaldehyde.
When a tuber showing discoloration
IndIRafInO @ fc 01vf <IIl.0
should be thrown out and the knives
should be changed.
The formaldehyde treatment is not
as difficult as it appears 1t is mixed
in water in the proportion of one
pint of formaldehyde in 80 gallons of
water. The potatoes should be soaked
in this solution for two hours. This
is most easily accomplished by partly
filling sacks with potatoes and putting
them in barrels containing the mix
ture.
The formaldehyde gas treatment
can also be used in the following man.
ner. Line good, tight bin with paper
and build racks around the sides to
hold the sacks of potatoes. Use
pints of formaldehyde and % ounces
potassium permanganate for each 1000
cubic feet of space. Spread the po-
tassium permanganate in a thin layer
in the bottom of a tub or other con-
tainer placed at least three feet from
the potatoes. Potatoes should be at
least three feet from the mixture. Pour
the formaldehyde over it and close the
door. The fumes are very irritating
to the eyes and nose. Caution: Re
ports from other States indicate that
the potatoes are occasionally injured
by gas treatment This is more like
ly to occur when the bin is only part
ly filled, than when the bin is well
filed Potatoes which are sprouting
are much more easily injured than
those which are dormant. The injury
appears as sunken brown spots, but
does not always reduce the Vitality OF
the tubers. If the spotting is in and
about the eyes, the injury is likely to
be severe.
Corrosive sublimate solution is also
an excellent treatment for seed po-
tatoes and is more effective against
the scurf (Rhizoctonia) than the for
maldehyde Mix ounces of corro-
sive sublimate in 80 gallons of water
and soa kthe potatoes for one and
one-half hours Caution: Do not mix