STORED POTATOES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

STORED POTATOES

COMBATING MOTH PEST Many home growers have been disappointed to find that after their stock of potatoes has been stored for a while they become riddled with holes. In many instances this has been blamed to wireworms, but it is the work of the grub of the potato moth. This moth lays its eggs in the eyes of the tubers, and the grubs hatch out in store, eating their way into the potatoes and rendering them unfit for use. The moth lays its eggs in the eyes of the tubers, and the grubs hatch out in store, eating their way into the potatoes and rendering them unfit for use. The mo1;h will also lay eggs on the stem of the plant, the grubs working their way down by tunnelling in the stem. Control measures are best commenced by spraying a week or two before lifting with a solution of arsenate of lead. Many grubs' hatching on the sterns will thus be disposed of. Select good, sound seed to start with, and cover well at planting time, also when moulding up, as the moths are almost certain to lay eggs on any exposed portions of the tubers.

Avoid leaving any tubers laying exposed on the ground at night after digging. The practice of covering the mouths of sacks with potato haulm is a bad one. The moth, being a night flyer, is attracted by the smell of the haulm and may leave many eggs in the mouths of the sacks.

Dusting the potatoes in store with slacked lime has been recommended as a preventive, as it is obvious that tubers intended for culinary purposes cannot be sprayed with a poisonous substance such as arsenate "f lead, although tubers intended for seed purposes only may be so treated.

Where moths are prevalent in store, many mav be disposed of by means of a naked light left burning. Taking all

reasonable precautions against danger from fire, a wide shallow metal dish is filled with water, and in the centre is placed a small block of wood with three .nails inserted to hold a piece of candle. Pour a thin film of kerosene over the surface of the water —a teaspoonful will be sufficient—and then light the candle. The moths attracted to the flame fall into the water and are destroyed by the kerosene. A store may be cleared of moths in a short time bv this method. It may be an advantage to cover the block of wood with a sheet of tin, to prevent any danger of fire when the candle burns low, although the water will soon extinguish «ny flame.