The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-03
DANGEROUS POTATO DISEASES.
Department of Agriculture's New Bull.
letin Describes Them.

Washington, March 3-More general
and concerted efforts on the part OF
potato growers are needed to combat GER
tain diseases which threaten to impair
the vigor of 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 q new Dul-
letin is now issued entitled "Poato Wilt,
Leaf Roll. and Related Diseases" 1t can
be had free on application to the de-
partment of agriculture.
The bulletin particularly emphasizes
the fact that the same system of seed
selection and crop rotation that will free
the potato fields of wilt, leaf roll aud
curly dwarf, will not only bring under
control blackleg and some other diseases
but will insure the maintenance of the
strains cultivated in their most vigorous
condition and free from Objectionable
mixtures with other varieties.
Losses from the late blight and rot
occur 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. Ii is now successfully com
batted by spraying with Bordeaux mix
ture. II is also hoped that more disease
resistant varieties will soon aid in con
trolling this blight. To the south early
blight and tip-burn plays greater role
than the late blight in injury to the po-
tato crop. Early blight is apparently
not so common in the cooler and more
uniform climate of northern Europe.
Nor does one find there that tip-burn is
as common as here. where high summer
temperatures combine with the Injuries
of flea beetles and other insects to cause
excessive Transportation and IFS conse
quent marginal burning of the leaves.
Here also the logical line of attack seems
to be the production OF varieties posses
sing heat resistance
With the progress of studies of this
problem other potato diseases have been
recognized in the United States Some
OF these, like the brown-rot, had doubt
less been long prevalent, while others,
like the blackleg, appear to have been
recently introduced from Europe.
The departments new bulletin con-
tains numerous Illustrations of new dis
eases that are to be feared by potato
growers. If growers viii realize more
clearly the danger of the insidious losses
suffered because of seldom recognized dis
eases, and from diseases transmitted
through the seed, they will be more eager
TO join general campaign against these
troubles. The final result viii be TO !
place the potato industry ON a higher
plane than it occupies to-day.
The types of disease distinguished as
Of some Importance in the United States |
and especially treated in the new bull
letin are the following;
Fusarium Wilt-A disease character |
lied by the whiting of the plant. Wide |
spread in America, but not vet identified
from Europe.
Verticillium VITA wilt resembling
the foregoing. often more rapid. Present
in both America and Europe.
Leaf Roll - An Unbeatable disease
marked by rolling of the leaves, reduced
yield. and other symptoms. Probably
not due to parasite. Common in Europe
md lately appearing in America.
Curly Ovarian Unbeatable, nonpara
site trouble in which dwariing is prom
nent characteristic. Found in Europe
md America.
Rosetta stunted or dwarfed condi-
ion of the potato associated with in
uries OF the underground stems and
'oots caused by a fungus most eonspicu-
nus IN the western United States.
Mosaic-A condition marked by mot
ling and distortion of the foliage. Not
previously described, but present in Eu-
'ope as well as America.