SMUT. 



Some fields of oats were visited that would lose one-fifth in yield from smut. 

 Every one is familiar with the formalin treatment for this disease, but ft is reprinted 

 here for reference. 



This work must be done thoroughly. Every particle of surface of every grain 

 must come in contact with the solution to give full results. . Again Be thorough. 



Smut Formula. One pint formalin to 42 gallons of water. Sprinkle or immerse. 



POTATOES. 



This crop has. generally speaking, been light. A good deal of damage has been 

 done by scab, and blight. Crops that were planted early have often been very weedy, 

 owing to the wet weather after the cultivating season was over. 



SELECTING THE SEED. 



Best results are obtained by planting tubers from plants producing the largest 

 number of the desirable size and type of potato. 



Heaviest yields are obtained from single, tall, strong-growing plants. Short, 

 heavily branched vines generally produce a large proportion of small potatoes. 



Cut one or two strong eyes to the " set," leaving as much of the potato as possible 

 attached. In light soils plant deeply ; in heavier soils plant shallow, and " hill up." 



Do not allow the " sets " to dry before being planted. If necessary to cut ahead, 

 sprinkle the sets with slaked lime, plaster, or in some such way prevent drying. 

 Drying-out means a serious decrease in the yield. 



SCAB. 



Immerse the potatoes for two hours in formalin and water, 1 oz. of formalin to 

 2 gallons of water. 



LATE BLIGHT OF POTATO. 



Spots appear on edge or tips of leaves and extend over the leaf. In moist 

 weather they present a dark, water-soaked appearance, with a purplish tint. In dry 

 weather they are brown, without definite marking. Spots are watery and the leaf 

 wilts. Disease extends to the tissue of the potato, rendering it subject to rot. 



The disease may be carried over in the potato. Some varieties resist the blight 

 more than others, but this is influenced by the locality in which the potatoes are 

 grown. 



CONTROLLING THE DISEASE. 



If possible, plant " seed " from non-infected tubers. When the potato-vines are 

 about 6 inches high, spray with Bordeaux mixture, and then spray with the same 

 mixture twice later, at intervals of about ten days. Do not plant potatoes on land 

 on which potatoes had been grown the year before. 



How to make " Bordeaux Mixture." Dissolve 4 Ib. of bluestone in 35 gallons of 

 water (or less, and dilute to 35 gallons). Slake 4 Ib. of lime and add to the bluestone 

 solution, making a total of 40 gallons. 



Xofe ire//: Always dilute the bluestone solution before adding the lime. Apply 

 with a spray-pump. 



Here is a cheap time-saver for use in spraying potatoes: Get two old mower- 

 wheels (or other small wheels), attach shafts to the axle, and build a platform 

 between the wheels. Make the axle long enough that the horse between the shafts 

 can walk between two rows of potatoes and that the wheels straddle these two rows. 

 Fasten the spray-pump and barrel to the platform, use a T on the hose, and fasten 

 two nozzles to the rear of the platform so as to suit the width of the rows. Connect 

 the nozzles with the T. With a slow, reliable horse, one man can operate the outfit. 



SOFT ROT rs POTATOES. 



This rot should not be confused with the rot caused by the late blight. 



The first indication of this disease is that the plant turns to a sickly yellow 

 colour ; the leaves seem to contract and turn in on the edges, while growth is 

 retarded or stopped. If one of the affected vines be pulled up, it will be found that 

 they have become almost, if not quite, rotted off, while the " seed " will likely be 



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