REPORT OF STATE HORTICULTURIST. 8l 



Monticello 350 18,000 



*Easton 



*Mars Hill 



42,330 269,260 

 The greatest infection was found along the St. John river 

 and in the sections around Caribou, Presque Isle and Ashland. 

 The infection around Houlton was so small that it appeared 

 that the southern limit had been found. Later on, however, 

 this disease was found as far south as Patten, a border town 

 in Penobscot County. The Bliss and Cobbler varieties appeared 

 to be very subject to this disease, while the Green Mountains 

 were more or less immune. 



In some cases the source was without doubt of foreign origin, 

 but it was plainly evident that the greater part of the powdery 

 scab had been introduced from New Brunswick. In one county 

 in New Brunswick it was stated that the infection had reached 

 the alarming percentage of eighty-five and appeared to be on 

 the increase. 



It would appear to the writer that powdery scab has been 

 present in Aroostook county for a period ranging from five to 

 fifteen years, inasmuch as the seed on certain farms had not 

 been changed within those Hmits. Of course there is the possi- 

 bility that the disease was introduced by other means, but there 

 is very little evidence that such is the case. The fact that the 

 infection has not gained greater headway up to this time may 

 be due to the systematic rotation of crops so largely practiced 

 in Aroostook county. The infection was too general to bear 

 out the theory that this disease has been introduced from New 

 Brunswick within two or three years. 



OPPOSITION TO FEDERAL QUARANTINE. 



It was plainly evident that unless the state with the support 

 of the Aroostook growers and dealers made an active effort to 

 handle the situation in a satisfactory manner an embargo would 

 be placed on Maine potatoes by the Federal Horticultural Board. 



tMore or less scab present in bins. Not all scabby. 

 *No record kept. 



