360 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that when it comes in contact with the potato seed it dries them out and * 



prevents many of them from coming up. The greatest hindrance to suc- 

 cessful potato-growing is the hot, dry weather, and every means should 

 be resorted to to retain the moisture. 



In selecting a variety of potato, such qualities as productiveness, 

 healthfulness, regularity of shape, and uniformity of size should influence 

 the choice, but the grower should also take into consideration the fitness 

 of the potato for his market. Most markets prefer a somewhat elongated, 

 oval potato, with an even surface, few and shallow eyes, and a smooth, 

 white skin. Others prefer an oval potato and a reddish skin. 



The potato rot {Phytophthora infestans) is a disease caused by a fungus 

 which first attacks the leaves and then passes into the potato. The tubers 

 may rot before digging, or the greatest damage may be done after the 

 crop is stored. The conditions are favorable for the disease when the 

 atmosphere is moist and warm, and when there is an abundance of decay- 

 ing vegetable matter in the soil. A loose, porous soil is less likely to furnish 

 proper conditions for the disease than a heavy one which retains moist- 

 ure and does not admit air. The potatoes when planted should be free 

 from the disease. The treatment with corrosive sublimate or Bordeaux 

 mixture, used for the scab, will aid in freeing the seed from the fungus. 

 The thorough spraying of the vines with Bordeaux mixture every two 

 weeks after July 1 will generally prevent the appearance of the blight 

 and the resulting rot. If the vines have been badly affected, to save the 

 crop remove the potatoes as soon as possible, dry them thoroughly, and 

 store in a cool, dry place. If the rot is bad, from time to time the pota- 

 toes should be sorted. Avoid a warm, close cellar and deep bins. It is 

 said that lime thinly dusted on the tubers will destroy adhering germs. 

 It is a wise precaution to burn all affected vines to prevent the spread of 

 the disease the following year. 



There are a large number of machines for planting and digging pota- 

 toes, and while there is not one that will work perfectly under all circum- 

 stances, nor even do the work as well in any case as can be done by hand, 

 yet the better class of both planters and diggers are to be recommended 

 to large growers. Digging or planting by hand will cost five or six times 

 as much, and when labor is scarce machines of some kind are a necessity. 



In diggiog, avoid exposing the potatoes to light any longer than is abso- 

 lutely necessary. As soon as dry put them in shallow piles where they 

 may be covered. A few hours of air and sunshine changes their natural 

 color and destroys their fine flavor. If 'the potatoes are to be kept over 

 winter it is a good plan to cover them lightly with earth in the field and 

 allow them to remain for a few weeks, so that those that are inclined to rot 

 may be separated from them before they are finally stored. 



Potato bugs do more damage to potatoes than all other enemies combined. 

 A little negligence and the crop is destroyed. As to remedies there is but 

 little choice. Paris green is the great exterminator, but as to methods of 

 applying the remedy there is considerable choice. If the Paris green is 

 mixed with water, or put on in the old-fashion way with flour, lime, or 

 plaster, it costs several dollars per acre to keep down the potato bugs. The 

 station uses an insect gun and finds it a cheap and efficient way of apply- 

 ing the poisons. We believe the cost is not more than one half as much as 

 it IS when the older methods are used. 



