THE POTATO DISEASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 11

THE POTATO DISEASE.

The potato blight, which up till a week or two ago had not made itself very conepieuousr has spread with most distressing rapidity in the Grey Valley (says the Grey Star's correspondent), and has caused great loss to the farmers, who were relying on the prevailing prices being maintained. The loss will run into thousand's of pounds, qhq

farmer alone estimating his now ruined crop as being worth £200 a fortnight ago. The late crops belonging to a number of settlers are said to be completely ruined. A few of the croii-holders are hurriedly digging the potatoes in the hope of getting some small return, but the potatoes are so small as to be scarcely worth, the trouble. The disease has unfortunately appeared and spread widely about the suburbs of Timaru and the surrounding districts (says the Timaru Herald). Some crops that looked first rate a -fortnight ago arc now black, and' their growth doubtless has been quite arrested. It is pitiful to see the havoo that the pest has made with what were promising crops Not all crops are equally affected at present ; but every one seems to be "spotted." It is said that the disease has appeared in every garden and on every farm about Timaru, and those who were acquainted with the dread disease in Ireland say that they have no doubt that this is the same disease. It first appears on the leaves as a dark brown "spot, which spreads rapidly, and runs down the stalks to the roots and tubers ; the whole of the leaves become dark brown (retaining a tinge of green) and dry up. On examining a leaf that is only spotted with a powerful magnifier a thick 'crop of" minute fungus spores can be seen, giving a tinge of^ white to the under side of the leaf at tire margin of the spot. So far the tubers do not seem to be affected, and any that are large enough may probably be saved. The Derwents and other late sorts are, however, too small for use, and those that have lost their tops, it is to be expected', will come to nothing.