People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1896 — Prevention of Potato Scab. [ARTICLE]

Prevention of Potato Scab.

If a person w T ere told how he could increase his yield of potatoes with but little additional labor, and that all at one time, so that he could by this extra attention get a larger harvest and a more marketable crop, and were convinced that the statement was true he would not be

likely to neglect the advice. Exactly such a piece of information is the corrosive sublimate method of treating seed potatoes to prevent scab. Potatoes that have a rough, spotless surface, would have been larger, if when growing, they had been kept free from the germs that cause the scabby spots, and many a worthless potato might have been marketable, if it had thus been well grown. If possible, potatoes should be planted in ground that was not devoted to root crops the preceeding year, and they will then escape the germs that lived over in the soil from the last crop. But in any event germs will be introduced into any hill with the seed tubers at planting time, unless precaution is taken to destroy them. For however smooth tiie tubers look, there are almost always some germs lurking on their surfaces, ready to begin operations upon the potatoes as soon as they are set. Unless the season is very dry, or otherwise unpropitious for genns, the crop will suffer from them in the way of smaller and less attractive tubers, having a lower maiket value. The method of killing the germs, and securing a clean crop, is very simple and inexpensive, and any potato grower who has not yet tried it should not fail to do so the present season. If given a trial, it will not be again neglected. This method has proven to be all that is claimed for it through a half dozen years of trial. It is employed by many of the foremost potato growers* of the coun try and has uniformly given satisfaction. Whoever is really desirous of increasing the quality and quanity of his potato crop would therefore do well to give it a fair test. METHOD. The following treatment is recommended on the basis of experiments at the Indiana experiment station: Put 2 oz. of corrosive sublimate (a poisonous substance, that needs to be handled with caution) into hot water in a stoneware or glass vessel. When dissolved put it into a wooden tub or barrel and add water enough to make 15 gallons. Into this put the potatoes intended for seed and let them remain for an hour and a half or two hours. After taking out of the bath, cut and plant as usual. The same bath may be used several times, but as it is constantly growing weaker, the potatoes should be left in longer, or some fresh solution should be added. Do not use metal vessels, and do not leave the material where persons or animals may drink it. —Purdue Experiment Station.