BULLETIN No. J4J. 



THE PREVENTION OF POTATO SCAB. 

 W. J. Morse. 



From the evidence at hand it appears that the, amount of 

 potato scab in certain portions of Maine is rapidly increasing. 

 Many bushels of otherwise excellent potatoes are now annu- 

 ally sent to the starch factory, thus materially reducing the profit 

 of the grower. This rapid increase of scab is very evident in 

 Aroostook county. Never has the Station received so many 

 complaints from growers with regard to losses from this cause 

 as was the case last season. An explanation of this condition of 

 affairs is not hard to find. Two years ago on account of the 

 scarcity and consequent high price of seed many farmers planted 

 the scabby tubers which were unfit for market. Very frequently 

 experienced growers are met who advocate this practice, claim- 

 ing from mistaken observation that there is no danger from the 

 use of scabby seed, thus assisting indirectly in the propagation 

 and spread of the disease. This indicates that the nature of the 

 disease and the importance of planting clean, disinfected seed to 

 insure a clean crop and to guard against infection of the soil is 

 not realized by many growers. 



In view of the fact there are still large areas which are free 

 from scab or which are but slightly infected, and each year a 

 considerable amount of previously uncultivated soil is added to 

 the potato growing acreage of the state, it is highly important 

 that ample precautions be taken to prevent the introduction of 

 scab germs into this clean soil. 



PURPOSE OF THIS BULLETIN. 



The object of this bulletin is to warn growers of the gravity 

 of the situation, to point out the material and lasting injury 

 which will surely result to the potato industry unless proper 



