THE POTATO DISEASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 9

THE POTATO DISEASE.

ALL THE SOUTH ISLAND AFFECTED

Mr T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, who has iust returned from a tour of Southland and Central Otago districts in connection with the ravages of the potato diseasej states that as a result of his inspection he has found that there are evry few crops in the South Island which are entirely free from the disease. These in tho dry districts or on really dry land have been found to be the cleanest. In the higher lands of Central Otago a few crops were at iJie time of Mr Kirk's visit entirely free from the disease, while there were others there which had been badly attacked. No variety of potato is really jesistant, for althcragh in a particular locality a certain variety is practically clean, it may a few miles further on be badly infected. Generally speaking, the oldest varieties suffer most.

At tho commencement of this year there were 54-47 acres fewer planted in potatoes than was the case during the previous year, and the disease will probably reduce the crop fit for storing by one half. Where potatoes are nearly ready to dig. Mr Kirk advises that the tops should be removed and placed in a heap for burning before tho tubers are dug. This will be tho means of destroying- millio-ns of spores, as well as minimising the risk of the spores becoming attached to the potatoes. Care should also be taken to pick out every tuber showing signs of disease. Crops still showing a considerable proportion of grep-n top should be sprayed with the prescribed formula of Bordeaux mixture, leaflets giving full particulars of which may be obtained from any inspector of stock. Tomato crops should also be sprayed with the same mixture. About the middle of February last Mr Kirk advised growers of tomatoes in iho Hutt district to spray the.'r plants, but it appears that in some cases rhis precaution has boen nocrl-ected, as the. disease is l'oported to have made its appearance there. Mr Kirk states that in cases where spravinpr has been carried out wonderful results have been obtained. In one instance there was a field of potatoes in which the disease was si-owing freely and had a good hold, but spraying was done, and 75 per ee.nt. of the crop saved.

Mr Kirk is of ouinion that it would be a great convenience to growers If a competent man provided with a spraying outfit, were to go round spraying crops. In addition, the work would bo a remunerative one for the sprayer.