Potato-Diseases by J. W. Eastham is an eight-page British Columbia circular arranged around two parts of the crop: the tubers and the growing vines. It was issued in July 1918 as Circular No. 60 in the New Horticultural Series.
The closing statement identifies Eastham as provincial plant pathologist and says the circular was prepared at the request of the Horticultural Branch. The imprint names William H. Cullin in Victoria.
Beginning with the tuber
The opening discussion treats common scab through the appearance of raised, roughened or pitted areas on the skin. It considers the effect on the crop’s appearance and on the work of preparing potatoes for use.
Powdery scab follows, with photographs comparing an early blister stage and later injury. The regional discussion refers to the Coast and Island sections of British Columbia.
That local setting gives the circular a specific character. It records the problems a provincial agricultural service considered worth explaining to its growers.
Rots and other surface problems
Rhizoctonia, silver scurf, late blight and wilt or stem-end rot receive separate descriptions. The circular asks readers to notice where injury begins and whether the trouble lies on the surface or inside the potato.
Fusarium rots and soft rots broaden the account to stored material. The discussion connects damaged tubers and storage conditions with subsequent loss.
A short group of non-parasitic disorders includes internal changes that can be mistaken for disease. This reinforces the usefulness of looking inside a potato as well as examining its skin.
Following disease into the growing crop
The vine section returns to late blight and wilt, now through their appearance above ground. Early blight, tip burn and Rhizoctonia are also considered.
The account describes changes in foliage and stems and explains how damage near the base of a plant can affect development elsewhere. The discussion of small potatoes forming above ground is one example of linking a visible sign with a disrupted growing process.
The names and explanations belong to 1918. They are helpful for interpreting period farming literature, while current identification should be checked against modern plant-pathology references.
What seed treatment could accomplish
A substantial part of the circular concerns disinfection of seed potatoes. Eastham distinguishes external contamination from internal infection and explains that a treatment directed at the surface cannot be expected to solve every problem.
The text also considers contamination after treatment. Drying, storing, cutting and planting are presented as connected operations rather than independent tasks.
The recipes use formaldehyde and corrosive sublimate, among other materials. These hazardous historical procedures are not current instructions for food-crop treatment. In particular, period statements about treated potatoes and food use should not be adopted as present-day guidance.
Selection and removal of diseased plants
The general rules emphasize clean planting stock, choosing fields and keeping attention on the crop during growth. The final section explains roguing: removing undesirable plants while their condition can still be seen.
Eastham connects this practice with both disease control and the removal of wrong varieties or unsatisfactory plants. The seed crop is therefore treated as something selected throughout the season.
For readers studying traditional farm organization, these pages show why the quality of a future crop depends on more than the moment of planting.
Digital edition and audience
This free ebook suits readers interested in British Columbia agriculture, potato storage and the history of seed selection. Its compact arrangement allows several kinds of crop injury to be compared quickly.
The PDF contains eight digital pages with the original heading, photographs, main text and dated closing imprint. Heavy dark scan edges remain visible, but the text is readable. Enlarge the small photographs and type for close comparison; this is a short historical circular rather than a complete potato-growing manual.
Book details
- Author: J. W. Eastham
- Publisher: Department of Agriculture, Horticultural Branch, British Columbia; William H. Cullin, Victoria
- Year: 1918
- Edition: Circular No. 60, New Horticultural Series; July 1918
- Digital length: 8 PDF pages
- Language: English
- File size: 0.36 MB
