Permanganate of Potash for Spraying. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2691, 11 October 1905, Page 24

Permanganate of Potash for Spraying. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— ln 1895, on my way rorth to buy land, I called at tho Agricultural Department at Wellington and nsked for anything th"/ had in print regarding the cultivation of vines. They gave me the r-epoit of a commission heW in 1890, before which Mr Kirk. Government Biologist, Warden Bectham, Mr Soler, ard oihers gave evidence — a most valuable lepori. When quite latterly we were advised to spray otu- peaches with Boideaux mixture to avoid "curl" and fungoid pests, I recollected tlia.^

Mr Kirk had stated that he tised permanganate of potash (Condy's Fluid) as a spray and nothing else and found it perfectly satisfactory. Some time last year it occurred to me to write end ask our Agricultural Department at Wellington what was the leason that pel mnngonate .of pohisb, so strongly recommended by their late chief, had fallen into disuse. Thoir reply was thai it had been replaced by more modern sprays, which left me r.ot much -.viser In March this year I called at the Agricultural Department at Auckland and liTotight Ihe ir.atter under their notice the^e and suggested that tne permanganate should bs used 10 spray potatoes experimentally at iheiv trial farms at Wairangi and Ruakura. Incidsjitally the clerk told me that a neighbouring farmer had tried permanganate that season and had a sound crop of potatoes. On iiiy return home it occtmecl to me reoenily to write and ask Senor Bragato if he had >iad any 3>ors3nal 'experience with the permangan&'te as a spray, a,s I way trying it this senson for some peaches. I give Senor Bragato'e reply below, and I think it should at this season have every publicity. I may say that I l"i-ocure the permanganate from my Aucklard gjocer at Is 2d per Ib. There is no trouble m dissolving it. I prefer to use a small quantity of boiling water and to add with cold. I have used ioz to S^gal (a knapsack Yermone Eclais sprayer-full), a -slightly weaker solution than 4oz to 22gal, — I am, etc., H. L. Sqttires.

To H. L. Squires, Eso., Woohlan<3s, Parua Bay.

Dear Sir. — Re permanganate of potash. This is an excellent fungicide, and I have found it better adapted for^spraying in many cases than the orthodox Bordeaux mixture, aaid I hpve frequently advocated its use. It is most useful in combating mildew, whether indoors or in the vine3 r ard, and in my opinion it would prove very efllcacicms against the blight whijli is doing so much damage to the potatoes. The best solution I have found to be 4oz of crystal to 22gal of water. When used for potatoes the peed should first be disinfected by soaking after cutting for 10 or 12 hours in the solution, and aftenvaids spraying the plants as they grow, say three or tour times a season, — Yours faithfully,

R. Bkagato,

It is understood that the Railway Appeal Board reported to the Minister that it had no recommendation to make m the case of cx-Portor Brockie, of Gore, and his retirement from the service has therefore been sustained.

A rather amusing incident happened in Masterlon a feiv nights ago, when a muscu-lar-looking Maori wahine ei.g-aged in a fistic encounter with her tane, who had been imbibing rather too freely. At the commencement of hostilities the vroman had a child on her back, but she laid it down, and proceeded to administer corporal punishment on har good man with such vigour that li 3 was compelled Fo. boat a hasty retreat. _ This is not the first time that the same affectionate couple ha\o been soon engaged in fistic; combat in the streets of Masterton, and the final issue of the conflict is imaiiubly the sama.