WELLINGTON. October 13.
Potato-growers in the Otaki district have been much concerned over the appearance of what was generally believed to be the dreaded Irish Wight. It would appear, however, that their fears are at least premature. Srecimens of the affected leaves wore submitted to the Government biologist for examination, and he has forwards ■"-- — following reassuring report (says the correepondent of the Post):— "A careful examination did not show any trace of Irish blight, the drath of the tissues beine due. to frost. Potatoes which have been frosted are in consequence weakened, and thus fall an easy prey to fungoid attacks. It is therefore very important that they should be sprayed. Growers anxious to participate in the high prices now obtainable for new potatoes have planted much earlier than usual, and consequently thpir crops have been affected by the frost. Only an isolated patch hero and there escaped the blight last year, which wa3 exceptionally wet ; but as this season promises to bo an unusually dry one, it is probable that tho position will bo reversed.
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Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 20
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176WELLINGTON. October 13. Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 20
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