The Greeley tribune., 1912-03-14

(FrOm tn0 rOTt COliln6 ExpresS)
Out at the Agricultural college
at Fort Collins in the west green
house at the Horticultural building,
experiments are being carried on
which will undoubtedly eventually
mean the saving OF thousands. pos
sibly millions, OF dollars to the state
of Colorado. These experiments
are being carried on by Potato
Specialist C. l.. Fitch. with the lab,
oratOry cooperation of Prof. w. G.
sackett. The purpose of the expert
ments is to determine just what
brings ON the disease "fusarium'
which was the cause of failure of
the potato crop in Colorado last
year.
These experiments are very ex-
tensive. After the causes of the di-
sease has been ascertained it is
hoped that remedies may be discov-
cred by means of which the disease
may be minimized. or prevented.
While the experiments can not be
completed and the final desired
knowledge obtained In time for the
use OF the farmers in the care of
next seasons crop. the experiments
will furnish valuable information
which will be available this year
and which will aid in measure
the cultivation OF the potato crop.
Apparatus Very Elaborate
The first Impression gained by
the visitor to the green house where
the experiments are being carried
on is that some work of unusual inn
portance is under way there There
are confusing number OF small
pulleys, shafts. wires and pipes all
leading to four box-like cabinets,
and until the experiments are ex-
planned the use of all the contri-
vances is very hard to guess
Four cabinets have been con-
structed in which to carry on the
experiments. These cabinets are
lined with zinc so they will hold
water. Suspended in the cabinets
are small galvanized tanks six or
eight inches square and fourteen
inches deep. These tanks contain
the soil in each of which grows n
hill of potatoes. l40 in ALL and the
tanks are SO arranged in the cabi-
nets that they are entirely sur
rounded by water.
Electricity Controls Temperature
The purpose OF this elaborate ap-
paratus is to furnish means of
absolute control of, the temperature
in each tank. the temperature OF
each being different. This is con
trolled in a very unique manner.
The water is heated by electricity
and is kept constantly in circulation
by small propellors which run all
the time. Thermostats controls
the temperature. These instruments
can be so set as to maintain cur
rent of electricity in the heating APP
paratus SO long as 1t is necessary
to keep up the required tempera-
ture, and when the maximum is
reached the current is automatically
shut OF. Thus absolutely perfect
control Of the temperature is as
sured without any attention. both
night and day, for the 100 days
planned.
Seed and Soil from
the Infected District
In order to have typical condi-
.ions In the experiments. soil from
the Greeley district. where Il very
heavy loss was suffered last year,
ments. The seed used in the tests
the earth.
Temperature and Moisture
are Causes Of the Disease
1t Ia already believed that certain
combinations of temperature and
moisture cause "fusarium" to make
itself manifest. 1t Is to ascertain
just what these conditions are that
these experiments are being carried
on.
One cabinet is being kept at
given temperature, another at an
other. and SO on. The moisture,
also. is controlled in different per
centages in the four cabinets. The
seed are all planted eight inches
deep.
Under Certain Conditions
H. the Plants Died Quickly
~ one cabinet the temperature