The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-05-05

producing centers had been practical
ly abandoned, Inc farmers had been
obliged to engage in other lines Of
agriculture because Of the prevalence
of disease that infested the fields.
Careless selection Of seed has in many
localities reduced the yield and the
quality to a point where the crop is
no longer satisfactory or profitable.
either to the grower or purchaser.
1t Is desired to call attention of po-
tato growers and farmers generally to
a few important items that should be
considered in planting for the crop of
1918: Pa
type OF the variety, smooth, of medium
size. Do not plant small potatoes, nor
irregular shaped. DO not plant a po-
tato that Is pointed at either end, or
that shows the least sign Of decay, or
any disease.
Second: Do not plant on land where
potatoes were row last year., or, if
possible. on land hat has grown pota-
ties for three or four years. Do not in
any case plant where IN traces of
disease have been discovered within
five years. Plant on clover sod if you
have it. If you do not have it, seed a
field with clover this e "a ready for
potatoes next year.
Third: If there is any sign of scab,
wet the seed thoroughly in a formal
dehyde s~olution-one pound of 40 per
cent formaldehyde to forty gallons of
water. Do not plant a tuber that
shows the least scab If you can avoid.
it. If necessary to Use those that are
slightly scabby, treat thoroughly with
formaldehXde. - II -
Fourth: Prepare the ground thor
oughly. Do not wait for weeds to get
started before cultivating. Harrow the
fN1I CDnr n ~ IN7n 800 @r-~~,r &c.,
days until the plants are four to six
inches high. Then cultivate (shallow)
every few days.
Fifth: When the potatoes are dug,
sort and grade conscientiously. Do not
pay freight on any small, irregular or
diseased potato. Do not be deceived by
thinking that 100 pounds of lily as
sorted stuff will bring the price of a
twentieth of a ton of marketable pota-
toes. 1t will not. If you 'slip in
some small ones and irregular shaped,
you will have to pay the freight, and,
more tina this, your good stock will
not bring what it would if the small
n unstable ones were not there.
When a sampler in the large markets
goes to take out a basketful tic be used
as a seller" for a, carload, he takes out
the smaller and poorer from the sacks.
that he opens, not the good ones that
are often put on top Why does he do
this, do you ask? Because he wants
his sample to be not better than the
average Of the car. He has to play
safe. The wholesale merchant in the
large markets is bound to be honest
with his customers. or he cannot hold
his trade. 1t would pay for the grow
er to be honest with him also. The
moral is, do not have any small or
inferior ones in the car. Then your
car will grade extra select and you
will get better than the price quoted
in the markets.
Finally, plant potatoes this year.
Plant just such potatoes as you would
like to raise. Plant the varieties that
the market demands. 1t is easier and
more profitable to sell what your GUS
toner wants than to persuade him of
what he ought to want and then sell
to him. The buyer wants a white DO
tato Except for the early market),
smooth, with shallow eyes. oblong
(not round), of uniform medium size
weighing from six to ten ounces, that
will cook dry and brittle and have a
flavor that tastes like more. ~