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About The Alliance herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 30, 1916)
WESTERN NEBRASKA POYATOE Box Butt County Land Pays Faraers Well for Growing Potatoes. Potato Crop Actually ' Most Important One of All (Written by P. M. Seidell, dminty Agent, U. S. D. A.) A Bulletin by F. M. Seidell, IJox Butte county agricultural agent, on the betterment of our potato crop. Seidell says to better the crop the growers should observe the following: 1. Ue pure standard varieties for seed. 2. Select seed of variety type and free from disease. 3. Treat seed potatoes to control and eradicate disease. , -". . 4. Use proper cultural methods: practice rotation. 5. Grade for market. : ; . . 6. Store In disinfected cellars with proper ventilation and temperature. ; , FOB TREATING SEED POTATOES THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 1. 2. RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING: One pint of formalin in 30 gallons of water. Soak potatoes for full two hours ; or Four ounces' of corrosive sublimate ni 30 gallons of water. Soak potatoes for full one and one-half hours. ... '' . ,'' . ' .' .. v . . - . - ov'i-y & 5 S,- , w?r. v ' ; ii.t ,.rifi...iaJ;".j i T" HAULING liOX KUTTK lHWATOKS . - : ; : '. - -...- '' ' .-' - . ' ssf - rail a.g&h FfT-s AN ITFFICIKNT Ml .THOU OF TU11ATINJ 1DTATOES VOW I)1SI1SE Bj P. M. Seidell County Agent, Itox Hutte County Totatoea are Dox Dutte county's bMding rash crop. The value of kr fMtatoea In . 1916 U estimated at ,$(61,900. In other" vorda the val- of the potato crop was approxi mately aa much aa the value of the prlng and winter vtheat. rye, barley, corn and onts crop -oiublnod. Hence the Inipi. iance of tan potato crop cd its i provenieia. There is a n rd to improve our po tatoea ao ttu.t the urowera ran pro duce thfiu tvdnomlcaUy and to standardize for, market bo the pota ioea will be In demand. This will nable the growers of this aectlon to compete with other aoctlQna. It will frrlng to the prow-r Krpntf'r returns nd to the consumer creator 8Htlsfuc tlon. The Dox Uutlo Farmers' AhbocIii Uon has adopted the fonowlng pro ject for the Improve. i. ent of liox Butte potatoes. This projct doca not conHlder seed treatment,' etc.; lone, but all steps are absolutely Aftceaaary in order to make the de sired Improvement. (!) Iur KUuhLimI VarietU'ft . It ia ini porta m that only those standard adaptable varieties known to be pure be used for seed. The cxperlenco of the growers shows that . nty the early varieties are adapta ble. There-is a market demand for the early varieties of this section. The Early Ohio Is the "Standard table variety In demand. Bliss or Red Triumphs are In demand .for south rn seed trade. White Kurekas or Cobblers, dpninud varies, nre early And good ylelders. Three varletlei Are enouub for any section. Do not allow seed to mix in stor Age. In planting one variety after planting unother be ure all potatoes of other variety are removed fram planter. In murketing pick out all other varieties. (2) sed S.-b-ctlou , Select eel to maintain variety, tjpe. quality, yield, .ami to control disease. Know the desired shape of . tatoeS the variety you are growing. Pota- . toea will produce true to type of i Dry rottea seea seed providing other conditions are . Scabby aoed favorable.- Do not plant a potato off in quality such aa one with small out growths and deep eyea (remember variety type), or a mlsBhapod pota to. The constant use of amall pota toes will tend to reduce the yield. A potato may be small because of lack of moisture or an inheritable char acter. Tho latter is true too many was: from seed per. A. 105.0! a . . . . . , 132.73 Clean seed 205.12 Dry rotted seed reduced tho yield 100.03 bushels of marketable pota toes per acre and scabby seed reduc ed the yield .72.29 bushels of mar ketable potatoes per acre. (3) ShmI Trt'rttnient It la absolutely necessary to treat seed to eradicate potato diseases: 111 ECAUTIONS. ( 1 )' ne certain that your formalin la full strength siot the solution made according to the iibove directions. (2) Treat the potatoes for the full 2 hours. (3) This solution Is not poisonous, and treated potatoes may be eaten or fed to stock."' - In no case sacrifice strength v of solution by making stronger or weaker or by treating olnger or shorter time. Potatoes must bo In solution 6 hours before being dam aged materially. In treating with corrosive subll j ate, potatoes should be relatively free from dirt. - Keep solution stirred up. Do not be alarm ed because of evaporation. Either treatment Is effective against disease scab, and all dry rot or bacterial wilt reached by seed treatment. Corrosive Sublimate Is recommended for treating potatoes affected with Stem Rot or Rhlzoc tonla. which appears as black specks on the exterior of the potato. This disease cuts .down production and may reduce stand of potatoes. In 1915 demonstrations were con ducted by the County .Agent on the farms of the above four co-operators to show the value of seed treatment Very scabby two-ounce seed was used in all cases. Part treated-with corrosive sublimate and part treated with formalin planted -beside un treated scabby aeed of tho same kind and origin. " Corrs. Untreated Formalin Subl. Average, 132.73 158.60 166.80 Increased "yield by Formalin, 25.87 bushels at 35c equals 9.05 per acre. Increased yield by Cor rosive SublLxate. 34.07 bushels, at 35c equals $11.92 per, acre. Stem Rot was prevalent in all po tatoes used for seed, which probably accounts for some difference In favor of Corrosive Sublimate. It will cost approximately 4c per bushel to treat potatoes, allowing for chemicals at present prices and for labor, providing no time Is wast ed while potatoes are being treated Any Plan (providing directions are followed) that will facilitate In treat ing is worthy pf consideration. (4) Proper Cultural Metlwxla Rotation is essential In contorlling potato diseases, maintaining yield and fertility. Potatdes should not be planted in the same field oftcner than one year to nve. This win al low the greater part of , the potato disease to have disappeared. Land free from trash Is essential In the production, of nmooth pota toes. Remember there are two kinds of scab; one a disease, and the other a result of Insect injuries. Inflect trouble Is largely controllable - by proper rotation. A afield that has been Idle or uncultivated for a short time la. more apt to have grubs and other enemies to smooth potatoes. ' Manure If applied to land shouldbe applied Just after digging potatoes If applied in large quantities, dls fnne gfnb may live In the soil longer tuan aw years us a result. Growers have found by experience that a well-prepared deep seed pea elves on the average the best ro- suUs. Thy are thus able to pro duce potatoes true to type and a Rood yield of same. I car of potatoes shipped out cannot Growers lend, the type of cultlva- help but east reflection in the pota- iinn ppnornllv best adantcd to (trow- ions 01 ims Becuon. A TYPICAL BOX DUTTW COUNTY POTATO FIELD ' Repeating this order your potatoes erase distance from mrkt nn ihm follow corn and are planted on the 'average year makes Terr little by same land only one year in fivo. i storing his potatoes. Dad roads. (5) Grading-for Market ' ! danger in long hauls, small differ After all, besides supplying home . ence in price, shrinkage, freeing. use the aim of the potato grower is and storage disease losses are thlngo to finally sell the potatoes. . In order to take into consideration. to make the greatest returns - with However, it Is Important that the potato the same as with live Home store potatoes so that the mar stock, there must be a market de- ket Is not flooded at digging tlms. It mand and the article to sell must Is absolutely necessary that the po- conform to the market demand, tatoes stored for home seed be stor There Is a demand for a potato of , ed correctly In order to give stroag reasonable size, good In quality and i seed. The potatoes stored for ths relatively free from disease. The southern seed trade must be store grading for market has been a thing correctly (not allowed to heat) so as badly neglected In this section. The to maintain their vitality, growers are not always to blame for I Potatoes should be stored In dls thls , condition, for many unscrupu-' Infected cellars. The ideal storage lous buyers have practiced buying temperature is from 33 degrees to ungraded potatoes. Every ungraded 45 degrees. It Is impossible to main times to risk planting small potatoes Two Internal, potato diseases have except In rare cases. A small seed been mentioned controllable largely piece will produce a small vine, con- by seed selection. Scab and Stem sequently a lower yield under nor- rot or Khizoctonia' are the common mal conditions. Plant nothing less external diseabeB of the potato, than a one-ounce seed piece, and anj The Department of Agricultural ounce ana one-Hair to two-ounce Botany recommends the following see a pieces are most tieslruule. loom ing Is gained by clipping off seed ;' end of potato. Dy hill selection ' Ohio Station Increased tho yield of their' potatoes about 75 bushels per acre. About the most important thing In economical production la the discard ing of all potatoes affected with dry rot or bacterial wilt. Those are In ternal diseases of the potato. A very scabby potato, however, well shaped Is not a good seed potato. Upon ex amination of the stem end of potato if a brown discolored area appears, that reaches through the potato about one-eighth inch under skin It is safe to assume that this is tho bac terial wilt or black-leg disease. A wet rot nay develop and deotroy the, tuber as result of this Infection. Both dry rot organisms and blackleg pro duce characteristic wilting In the Held. To show the advantage of us ing clean seed, demonstrations were conducted in 1915 under authority of the Box Butte' Farmers' Associa tion and the Department of Agricul tural Botany by the County" Agenfon the farms of four co-operators" from which the following results were se cured. yhole two-ounce seed used In all cases uutreated in order to measure effect of disease upon yield. The average yield of marketable. po- " "I "'V.' "".;. '' '? ; j.-' " -.i ' ' tKj.i'- - .'' '''" '" .'"-. v. ; i ;'"-, v; -1 - -. J.--- -v.; :;, '.-e ' . '-f'l POTATO INFECTED WITH DRif IUT InK potatoes In their sections. They rcal'ze that If deep cultivation is practiced it Bhould be donb early. A ;i ore lMel type of cultivation Is more applicable here than In sections of more rainfall. In digging, if more dirt Is run over the elevator and the digger run deep er less potatoes are cut and damaged. A cut or damaged potato Is usually first affected with storage disease. A According -to the Department ' of MaTkets, the thing the potato grow er must ask himself about the grad ing of his potatoes Is, "Can he af ford to pay himself for grading his potatoes at home or is it cheaper for him to haul off the culls with the good potatoes, pay freight on these culls to the big distributing points, then hire some one to grade and throw away the scabby, cut and odd treatment for potato diseases: KiiiurlrSdeM" CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE Dls-'Cut potato is thrown away at tho big shaped potatoes and pay the. dealers nuiw v Ulllicvo UL luiiuBiiu duuuiu- TiOiaiO IllarKeio wueiuri uiDraouu ui Running digger ueep oi course lain low temperature where large quantities of potatoes are stored without proper ventilation. Potatoes In storage should not be over fosr feet from a ventilator. That Is, Ten tilators should be eight feet apart. Natural construction of storage eel lar may facilitate In ventilation. Low temperature maintains vitality, pre vents early sprouting, lowers shrink age and lessens losses from disease. Allow as small an amount of dirt as possible to be stored with the potatoes. ate in 2 gallons of hot water. Add this solution to enough water to make 30 gallons. Place, potatoes In a gunny sack and keep for m hours In the above colutlon. Spread the treated pota toes out on a canvas or clean floor to dry. When dry, the potatoes should be cut and placed in sacks which have been disinfected. PRECAUTIONS. (1) To dissolve tha.con eslve sublimate ln hot water uso a stone Jar pr some old pan as this solution will corrode metal. (2) THIS t-OLUTION IS VERY POISON OUS. AND TREATED POTATOES MUST M7VER BE EATEN NOR FED TO MTOCK. (S) Be certain that the solution ic made and used according to thd above directions. FORMIC ALDEHYDE. Pour .1 Pint il formalin (formalin is a 40 per cent solution of formic aldehyde) Into "0 gallons of water In o barrel or tank. Place potatoes in a gunny sack end keep for 2 hours in the not takes more horse power and tho only luestlo nis whether best to use mo,re horse rower and. have less flainagea notatocs or not. In handling, care should be exercised to prevent In juring the potatoes. Best potato growers of the section handle their notatoea carefully -and otate that thev are well paid for same. The experience of tho majolrty.of potato growers In this section is that potatoes when piantea on iana roi lowing corn or a cultivated crop have best assurance of a good yield or weu shaped smooth potatoeB because they have a good seed bed on land free from trash and normally have more moisture conserved To the average livestock farmer of this section and considering adapt ability to natural conditions a crop system that will be fair to all cropB and to your potatoes on the baois of 100 acres of farm land excluslvo of hay crops is ubove solution. Spread the treated corn '2acres potato s out on a canvas or clean potatoes ........,. 20 acres floor to dry. When dry, the potatoes small grain 20 acres should be cut and placed In sacks 'corn ' 20 acres which have been disinfected. ! Small Kraln ......20 acres ' .J- .. m. : .: r- -A; ' -A; -r-i ; v' ?:v-:, y- .iv. ;: ' v l-- . " V "V : . - -. ' ' - -'f- 'v .-.;'.':.? ; I'OTATO INFFXTTED WITH UI11ZOCTONIA 4 L .OH STEM HOT f w .... , : - v ' ' S" " '' . ' ' ' ' " . 1 1 i V ' , ' , v , i i. -1 - -.- , ' i f ' I J L, . . ' ' ' I t - v - J i ... ' . ' , - ' . V T. , ""t . 1 rightly a large Insurance for handl ing thia grade of potatoes?" All this U paid indirectly by the grower, by the lower price he received for the potatoes. , (6) Storage The potato grower who la ap av- The above outline gives' a practic al plan for Improving Box Butte po tatoes and if followed aa if ia by some growers the potato Industry will mean more than ever to Box Butte county. KAIU.Y OHIO POTATO Fl'HF.KA OH tXMUlLKIt POTATO HKD TIUOIPH POTATO GRADING It)TATOES Prevailing lilgh prices for pota toes thia fal) waa a strong tempta tion for growers to sell scabby pota toes, a practice tnat in the long run Is not a profitable one. savs the aeri. cultural botany department of the university college of agrlcultureT So loag as a buyer for unsound po tatoes could be found, their sale was profitable to the grower; but aa buy-e- prefer to puchass from dlstlrcts wnicn ma-ntain a erput,ation for producing and shipping first-class stork, districts from which diseased stock has been unloaded on the mar ket must expect to be offered lower prices than , prevail in sections of favorable reputation. Western Nebraska' has an onnnr. tunlty to establish the- potato indus try on a secure footing by Insisting upon me inspection and careful grading of all potatoes sold in that region, by organizing an assoeiatls or potato growers. The crop saa then be sold under guarantee of ths association. CREAM Fit Y COURSE ' A four-months practical creamery E'Uk i" t0,be offered b th 0r? husbandry department of the Uni- versity of Nebraska.. Jan. 2 to'April 14. The purpose of the course ia to Pn?. . SractiLal training for me. interested in the commercial aide of dairying. It takes up fundamental scientific principles and applies then la practice. Men who take advantage of this course will have an opportunity to do iie.n.Mrf With th flne8t equipment available in any college in the coun