196 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



short-lived vine; a greater number of tubers set upon the vines than there 

 would be under normal conditions, and the tubers will be much smaller." 

 Potato growers should try this simple remedy. The yield will be increased 

 and the product secured will be much more salable. 



POTATO BLIGHT. 



This is the name commonly apjjlied to the disease that causes the potato 

 rot (phytophthora infestans), for which the Bordeaux mixture sprayed 

 upon the vines during the growing season is a remedy. 



Another disease that has affected the potato vines at the college, during 

 the past two seasons, resembles the true potato blight somewhat, but the 

 Bordeaux mixture does not check it. 



Persons, unacquainted with this new potato disease, seeing the vines 

 dying, would think that his potatoes were struck with the blight, and 

 knowing that the Bordeaux mixture prevents the blight, would apply it^ 

 probably without effect. 



This new disease may attack the vines earlier in the season than the 

 true blight. It may appear in June or not until July or August. The 

 true potato blight does not make its appearance, generally, until after the 

 middle of July, and the latter is much quicker in its action, the vines 

 dying down in a very few days, while the former requires about ten days 

 to complete its action. The leaves die first at the tips, working slowly 

 back until the whole leaf finally becomes involved, the leaf withering and 

 curling up as the disease progresses. 



The most noticeable difference between the two diseases is that with the 

 true potato blight the under side of the affected leaf is covered with a 

 grayish mold, which is apparent to the naked eye; with the other disease, 

 no such mold is found. 



This department will be glad to receive specimens of diseased vines 

 next season, from persons in doubt as to the nature of the diseases that 

 may affect their potatoes, and will gladly inform inquirers as far as our 

 knowledge will permit, as to the causes and remedies. 



L. E. TAFT. 



Agricultural College, Mich., ) h. p. gladden. 



February 1, 1893. \ R. J. coryell. 



