TASMANIAN POTATOES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2573, 6 August 1909, Page 5

TASMANIAN POTATOES.

RAVAGES OF DISEASE. AFFECTED BY IRISH BLIGHT. United Piucha Association —Copyright. HOBART, August 5. A report by the Victorian Government Pathologist, after exhaustive investigation,'''declares the disease affecting Tasmanian potatoes to bo the Irish blight. “The position of the potato industry in Tasmania (said a- Sydney paper recently) appears to be becoming most serious. There has been a gradual cleterioration in the potato for the last 20 years, and now brown rust is causing great loss. Potatoes affected with tins rot perish remarkably quickly, and are not oven fit for pig feed. One Tasmanian grower, for instance, who estimated a few weeks ago that he was going to dig 100 tons from a 14-acfe paddock, has now fonnd that the crop is not worth digging. Reasons accounting for the spread of this disease on the north-west ■ coast of Tasmania differ, nor does there seem any sound cause stated. Some growers blaipe the use of artificial manures, and others the atmospheric conditions of last season. Careless methods of cultivation and selection of seed are pronably responsible as much as anything, and it is in this respect, that our own growers want to exercise more caro. There is a tendency towards using poor quality seed that is a great mistake. . . While the position is serious in Tasmania, potatogrowers in Victoria are also in trouble, and seed from that State will require watching on account of the prevalence of scab. Growers there have -been very careless of late, arid consequently the authorities have had to take strong steps to bring about better conditions, owing to the export trade being seriously affected. Victorian potatoes have been condemned, both by the New South Wales aind South Australian officers. Scab lias long been prevalent in some Victorian districts, and, unlike rust, does not render.the potatoes unfit for human consumption, although their use as seed should not be allowed.

At the same time it is well to remember that we cannot afford to throwstones, and should take steps to got our own house, or rather potatoes, in order.”