Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-07-27
TO EXTEND USE
Of POTATO CROP
Experiment Station to Make An
Extensive Study of the
Potato Crop.


tion is preparing circular letter
which will be sent to hundreds of
farmers in Washington for the purpose
of securing information on potato grow
ing in this state. This data, when
complete, will be submitted to starch
manufacturing concerns and alcohol
distilleries to induce them to extend
their industry to this state. Such
industries would use up the surplus
potato crop.
Il am sure that there are great op-
portunities in this line for such manu-
facturies in the Northwest. " said Pro-
fessor A. G. Craig. who has this work
in charge. "If the Experiment Sta
tion can get these companies to realize
just what the possibilities of potato
growing in Washington are, | am GER
tain that we will have little trouble
in getting a profitable price every year
for our potatoes. Many farmers will
be able to grow on summer fallowed
land, which under the present system
is in crop but once in two years. These
factories 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, i. e., distances
apart in the row, and between rows
the cost of maturing the crop, includ-
ing expenses of securing seed, sacks
for storing the crop, cost of tillage.
and harvesting; methods of harvest
ing, whether dug by hand or with a
horse digger; yields per acre and esti-
mates of small tubers. Informa tion
is requested concerning diseases or in
sects that may have damaged the po-
" tato crop.
The station has prepared briet
d bulletin setting forth plan for CO.
operative experiments to improve the
quality of yield of potatoes by select
ion, which will be distributed in the
potato raising sections with view to
increase the quantity and quality of
tubers raised, thus increasing the OPP
portunities for starch factories and
alcohol distilleries. Briefly stated,
the plan of selection proposed by the
station follows:
l. The first selection, 1907, will
be made in large field which affords
abundant opportunity for choice of
plants. Each plant in the field will be
carefully examined, special attention
being given to the vigor. freedom
from blight, and habits of the plant.
etc., 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 sep
arately. 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 Sc
inches by 18 inches. will be put into
a separate receptacle and carefully
numbered and recorded. All hills not
coming up to this standard will be dis
carded.
3. The second year, 1908. hills of
this selected plot will be marked in
the same manner as the first, and
when they are dug will be treated the
same as the tubers of the first genera
tion of selected seed. The tubers of
the remaining hills of the plot will be
planted in 1909 as a maincrop in so
far as they go.
a. The selected tubers of the sec
ond generation will be planted in 1909,
and when they reach the right height,
the best plants will be marked as they
were in the first and second years.
This method of marking plants, Sc
lecting hills when digging and at
planting time, will be carried on from
year to year. In all cases, a plot
with ordinary selected seed of the same
variety will, if possible, be planted
alongside of the plot for check to
determine what is really gained by
the selection. After the first genera
tion the standard of weight per hill
may be increased.
Discussing the situation, Professor
Craig stated:
The potato is increasing in value
as crop in Washington, and l am
sure that in few years it will rank
among the first crops in Importance in
the state. AS soon as alcohol distill-
cries are established the farmer will
always find market for his potato
crop. Therefore, the experiment sta
tion proposes to study the best meth
DDS of culture in our state. Through