THE POTATO DISEASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 7

THE POTATO DISEASE.

At the clo«f of Mr J. C. Blackmore'e (Go\ernment Pomologist) address on tho "Potato Disease," at Mil tor on the Bth inst., questions were invited, and those present availed thenischcs of the opportunity.

Mr Jasper Clark as-ked what was the best time to spiay — in the morning or tho afternoon. — Mr Blackmore replied that it did not matter. It could bo dono in tho heat of the sun, or, more preferably, -when they -expected rain. Mr Clark further asked if farmer* s-hould plough down green stuff for potato ground.— Mr Blackmore replied that they could select and plough in any green crop, ■^uch as clover. They could plough in any leguminous crop which was convenient. The best crop to plough in was rape ; it brought out the insoluble potash from the ground, which pro\ed of great value to the potato plants. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Blackmore said he had seen lupins ploughed in. Asked as to how frequently the plants .should be sprayed, Mr Blackmoro said tlic chut cau-c of failure was that of .spraying tyo liitOi Ihcjt should commence spravjufi

when the thaws were about 4in above ihe ground; repeat the treatment at intervals of 10 or 14 days. The spraying should be dono chiefly according to the weather, and as often "as was necessary to keep the plants covered with the mixture. In a wet seascn it would be necessary to spr^g; more frequently than in a dry season. ~~ 3*3 * Mr Blaikie : Do you recommend 6teeping the seed before planting?— Mr Blaekmore replied that such had no effect in preventing tho disease. They had all read statements that io was beneficial, but they did not know whether the seeds were diseased beiore bein? dipped. The department had come to the conclusion that dipping diseased potatoes was of no use; any mixture which was strong enough to prevent the disease ■would rot the seed.

Asked when the plants should be earihed up, he said when they come into blossom, wh'ch was the most likely time for them to be affected by disease. In reply to Mr M 'Arthur, tho lecturer said it did not make any difference whether stable manure was put on the ground or ploughed 1 into tho drills. It had been pro\od th.it the beat results were always obtained when the manure was ploughed in during autumn. After othor questions had been answered, a hearty io{e of thanks was accoidod to Mr Blackmore for his interesting and instructive acldre.-s, on _ tho motion of Mr Ncvbiegi." g.