The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1907-07-31
ON PRODUCTION
OF THE POTATO

College experiment station is prepar-
ing circular letter which will be
sent to hundreds of farmers in East
ern and Western Washington for the
purpose of securing information on
potato growing in this state. The
data, when complete, will be submit
ted to starch manufacturing concerns
and alcohol distilleries to induce
them to extend their industries to
this state.
81 am sure that there are great
opportunities lin this line for such
manufactures in the Northwest"
said Prof. A. G. Craig, who has this
work in charge. IF the experiment
station can get these companies to
realize just what the possibilities of
potato growing in Washington are.
| am certain that we will have lit
tie trouble in getting profitable
price every year for our potatoes.
Many farmers will be able to grow
on summer fallowed land, which, un-
der the present system, is in crop
but once in two years. These fac
tories can use small potatoes as we'll
as large ones"
The circular asks for information
concerning the number of acres
which the farmer may be in the habit
of planting in potatoes each year;
the manner of planting, d. e., dis
tances apart in row, and between
rows; the cost of maturing the crop,
including expenses of securing seed,
sacks and storing the crop, cost of
tillage, and harvesting; methods of
harvesting whether dug by hand,
or with a horse digger; yields per
acre, and estimates Of small tubers;
and information is requested con-
corning diseases, or insects that may
have damaged the potato crop.
The station has prepared brief
bulletin setting forth a plan for CO.
operative experiments to improve
the quality of yield of potatoes by
selection, which will be distributed
in the potato raising districts with
view to increase the quantity and
quality of tubers raised, thus in
creasing the opportunities for starch
| factories and alcohol distilleries.
Briefly stated, the plan of selection
proposed by the station Is as fol-
lows:
1. The first selection $1,000
will be made in large field which
affords abundant opportunity for
choice of plants. Each plant in the
field will be carefully examined, spe-
aial attention being given to the Wig
or, freedom from blight, and habits
of the plant, ct cetera; and few
plants which appear to be distinctly
superior to the general crop will be
marked.
2. Before the main crop is dug
(1907) each marked hill will be dug
separately. Each hill having five or
more tubers true to type, uniform in
size, form and color, and a total
weight of not less than two pounds
(the potatoes having been planted
thirty-six inches by eighteen inches)
will be put into a separate receptacle
and carefully numbered and record
ed. All hills not coming up to this
standard will be discarded.
s. The second year (190S) hills
of this selected plot will be marked
in the same manner as in the first
and when they are dug they will be
treated the same as the tubers OF
the first generation of selected seed
The tubers of the remaining hills OF
the plot will be planted in 1909 as a
main crop insofar as they go.
4. The selected tubers Of the sec.
ond generation will be planted in
1909, and when they reach the right
ed as they were in the first and Sec
ond years. This method of mark.
ing plants, selecting hills when dig
ging and at planting time, viii be
carried on from year to year. In all
cases a plot with ordinary selected
seed of the same variety will, if pos
sible, be planted alongside of the
plot for a check to determine what
is really gained by the selection.
After the first generation. the stand
ard of weight per hill may be in
creased.
Discussing the situation, Prof
Craig stated:
THE potato is increasing in value
as crop in Washington, and l am
sure that in few years 1t will rank
among the first crops in Importance
in the state. AS soon as alcohol dis
tilleries are established, the farmer
will always find a market for his
potato crop. Therefore, the expert
ment station proposes to study the
best methods of culture in our state.
Through the efforts of such men as
Prof. P. G. Holden of Iowa, DR.. c.
D. Hopkins of Illinois, Prof j. A
Jeffery of Michigan, men of our owr
experiment station and others of the
United States department of agricul.
ture, farmers have come to realize
the Importance of carefully select
ing seed for field crops, such as corn
wheat, oats, etc.
Experience and observation both
lead us to the conclusion that just as
much Importance should be attach
ed to the matter of proper selec-
ton of tubers for the potato crop
With a little time and trouble far
mer can improve the quality of mis-
potatoes by selection, and increase
the yield. 1t is better for a farmer
to increase his yield per acre than
to increase the number of acres. The
first thing necessary is to plant the
very best seed obtainable; then, with
good soil and cultivation, make one
acre produce what two acres have