DISEASE AND ITS PREVENTION 75 



DISEASE AND ITS PREVENTION. 



CHAPTER VI. 



[HE various diseases, such as scab, blight, jelly-end 

 rot, wilt and rhizoctonia, which are more preva- 

 lent in the northern districts of California than 

 the southern part, could be almost eliminated if 

 the careful system of seed selection, such as I have recom- 

 mended, was followed. Very fortunately for the potato 

 growers, more attention is being given to the selection of 

 vigorous seed. 



When good and pure seed has been selected, the grower 

 should now turn his attention to these disease germs. The 

 best method is to plant a legumus crop of Melolotus Indica, 

 or Red Oats, or most any good green crop that will grow 

 rapidly and vigorously. When this is turned under the acid 

 formed will play havoc with the disease germs. 



After careful cultivation and planting, when the po- 

 tatoes have grown to about two or four inches high, it is 

 wise to spray with the Bordeaux mixture. I recommend 

 spraying at this time rather than later, as this spray is a 

 preventative of disease, rather than a cure, and the sooner 

 the plants are sprayed the better. If the disease is in the 



