THE POTATO BLIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 55, 28 November 1907, Page 2

THE POTATO BLIGHT.

LESS SEVERE TITAN IN OTHER SEASONS. • "Wo have had' specimens of the potato blight sent to us from a number of districts,' 1 said Mr. T. W. Kirk, Government Jiiologisfc, to a Dominion representative yestorday. "There is no doubt of it's existence,' but so far as the Department's information goes, it is not- nearly so bad as it lias been at this period in former years. No doubt this is largely duo to tho fact that many growers aro adopting the system of spraying as a preventive. That spraying with Bordeaux mixture is truly eflicacious when it is properly carried out is shown by the letters which the Department has received each year for sonio years past. Jn every, case which I have been able to investigate where spraying was without success, either the mixture had been prepared carelessly, or, as in a lew cases, the chemicals' had been impure, stale lime or impure Milestone being used, i>c f as in. the majority of instances, tho mixture was applied too late. I noted a number of cases the yenr before last in which growers had waited till tho crop was black beforo resorting to spraying, and then they thought it would make new leaves for thorn. Giving mcdicino to plants is exactly the same thing as giving it to animals, and every year now this doctoring of plants is playing a more and more important part in the world, so many plants depend,on-scientific treatment for, the prevention or control of disease." There was no excuse, Mr. Kirk continued, for using impure mixture. Really good bluestone can readily Iks procured from. any. reputable dealer, .but,'that there may be no doubt whatever about its cpiality, tho following very - simple test, which can be made in two or three minutes, is advised by the Department "-"-Crush a small piece of • bluestone, put it in a glass with a little water, and as soon as it is dissolved gently add a little strong ammonia. If light-blue clouds aro thrown down and tho liqnfd, when shaken, becomes a perfectly clear bright blue, the Milestone is pure. If it becomes dirty with the sediment the Milestone should not bo used. As regards- tho efficacy of Bordeaux mixture, tho Department's report for 190(3 gives about twenty testimonials, chosen from among many others that wero received, recording its completo success when used by growers in all parts of the country'.' A Pakorari grower wofb: —" We have saved our crop by spraying with Bordeaux mixture: Nearly all our neighbours and people along the coast havo lost their crops. . . . We sprayed four, times,during the season." Mr. John 11.. Baucko, of Mangatainoka, testified: —" It gives mo much pleasure to tell you that I followed your instructions ro potato-spraying, and havo met with completo success, in spito of the untoward weather we havo experienced. I havo tried my utmost to persuade others to do the samo, but most, of them laughed at me. while only one or two havo stuck to it so fnr 1 My three-quarter aero and a small patch belonging to a neighbour aro tho only clean crops I know of for miles." These replies are typical of the rest.