102 MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



Of course the best way would be to have seed inspected and 

 reject all that contained the seeds of bad weeds. As this is not 

 practical at present, farmers will be compelled to sow such seed as 

 is offered to them and fight the weed pests that appear. With this 

 particular one nothing could be done the first season. If the plants 

 are prevented from seeding the second season that is the end of 

 them. Some have gone to the trouble of pulling the plants up by 

 the roots, believing the roots to be perennial. This was unneces- 

 sary, but the tops should be cut to prevent re-seeding. 



Some of the specimens received about the first of August were 

 fully seeded and the seed capsules open. If cut in that condition 

 many of the seeds would be scattered. The plant should be cut as 

 soon as the flowers begin to appear or before. The plant stools 

 badly and each stalk bears several flowers and each capsule has 

 numerous seeds. A few scattering plants would, if neglected, seed 

 a field abundantly. We have had no experience, but doubt whether 

 this weed would make hay. Those who have neglected to cut this 

 weed carefully or have cut after the seed were ripe may expect to 

 see it next season. 



POTATO SCAB. 



Botanists are agreed that this disease of the potato is caused by 

 a fungus parasite, Oosjjoy^a scabies, Thaxter. That the germs of 

 a fungus will retain their vitality in the soil for several years. 



That seed free from the disease will produce a scabby crop if 

 planted upon soil contaminated with the germs. 



That scabby seed planted upon soil free from the disease will 

 produce a scabby crop. 



That probably the disease is modified by the moisture, fertility, 

 composition and mechanical conditions of the soil. 



The source of the disease would therefore be either the soil or 

 the seed. Conditions could never cause the disease ; the germs 

 must be present either in the seed or in the soil. To prevent con- 

 tamination from the soil potatoes or beets should be grown upon 

 neir land, that has never grown potatoes, or if upon old soil, that 

 which has not grown potatoes for a number of years. To prevent 

 contamination from seed it should be selected from a field known 

 to have been free from the scab. 



If the origin of the seed cannot be determined then select the 

 tubers that appear free from the disease, and soak them for an 



