THE POTATO BLIGHT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIX, Issue 3028, 8 November 1905, Page 2

THE POTATO BLIGHT.

METHOD OF TREATM ENT, OtmNgaruawahia correspondent writes: Mr Boucher, Government Pomolngist, gave an exposition yesterday afternoon of the spraying process for dealing with the potato disease, which is again this wet spring playing havoc with these crops, lie gave full information of how to detect as well as deal with this plague, and fully described the several species of this pest, and gave as well details of the different mixture and their composition, and at tho same with sprayers showed practically how to treat cither large or small areas. Mr Boucher, in his address, emphasized the necessity of using pure sulphate of copper and fresh nnslaked lime, and showed a simple method of testing the sulphate of copper for purity. He also pointed out the necessity of purchasing or storing tho lime in practically air-tight tins as owing to (he humidity of tho atmosphere unslaked lime speedily becomes slaked. Uo further pointed out that the treatment should be regarded rather as preventive than curative, and that every part of the potato plants, stems and the under as well as the upper surfaces of the loaves should receive a protective coating of the mixture (prepared with either lime or washing soda) prior to tho appearance of the disease, as a matter of fact spraying before tho disease appeared was insuring tho crop against loss by it. Mr Bouehor also stated that the mixture should bo prepared just before using as deterioration takes place after being mixed so that the mixture is valueless as a fungicide after eight hours. Tho solutions of bluestone and washing soda will keep for a time unmixed. He also showed a short elbow which when attached to tho extension rod enables the operator to direct the spray upwards, so as to reach the undersides of the leaves. He regarded it as a mistake to wait, as many do, until the disease appears before spraying, as tho blight usually attacks the crop during bad weather, when if, as frequently happens, tho climatic conditions continue favourable to the spread of the disease, a crop may be seriously injured, if not irretrievably ruined, before anything can bo done to check the blight. Only a limited attendance rewarded the expert’s efforts to disseminate both valuable and much-required information to the benefit of tho agriculturist. Those who were fortunate enough to attend this exhibition enjoyed a wellspent afternoon, and fully appreciated Mr Boucher’s endeavour to place within their reach the means of combatting the threatened evil, and not only was tho potato disease dealt with, but the diseases and blights common to fruit trees wore made the subject of further instructive information.

A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Boucher terminated a function the results of which should be far-reaching and remunerative.