Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-04-10
Presents Timely Suggestions Upon
Planting and Raising of
Potatoes.
BY Harry Is. Shaw.

ment Station, Jerome, Idaho, April
6, 1913.
To Editor Of the Lincoln County Times
Sir: The writer desires to take this
opportunity TO express his appreciation
of the cordial reception extended him.
and of the lively interest displayed in
the preliminary steps toward the es-
tablishment and operation in this state
of potato and beet seed experiment
station. He would offer every assur-
ance, in the name of the Department
Of Agriculture, that determined efforts
will be made to solve the pressing and
serious problems confronting the po-
tato growers of Idaho.
1t is anticipated that close and har-
monious relations will be sustained
with the state experiment stations
This station is established for the ex-
press purpose of studying certain po-
tato and sugar beet problems which
will not in any way usurp the func-
tions of the state stations. The bid
has been awarded and the contract
signed for the erection of the station
buildings provided for by the state of
Idaho. The work on these will now
be pushed forward as rapidly as pos
sible.
1t is already apparent that the prob
lens referred to are neither simple
nor few. Undoubtedly the most cri-
tical one is that arising from the pre-
valence of that formidable disease,
the dry rot, caused by the attacks of
a fungus bearing an appellation al
most equally formidable with its own
ravages, namely, fusarium tricothe-
cioides. While it is known that the
potato in this state is attacked by some
other diseases, the leaf-roll disease
for example, the dry rot occasions not
only the greatest direct loss, but also
threatens the market for Idaho tubers.
Therefore the study of the dry rot dis
ease will receive large share of the
time of this station. This involves
many subsidiary problems, such as (a)
the assertaining of the best methods
of preparing the ground for potato
culture; (b) most important of all,
the selection of clean, sound seed; (c)
the kind and size of seed tubers to
use; (d) methods of cutting and plant
ing the seed tubers without injecting
the cuttings; (e) the best methods of
irrigation; (f) drainage questions; (g)
the most desirable cultural systems:
(h) methods of harvesting; G) sort
ing; (k) marketing; Q) storing; and
many other points.
Aims of the station and its relation
to potato growers:
| This is the first station to be estab-
lished in this country for the specific
purpose of studying the culture and
disease of potatotes, and sugar beet
seed problems. 1t would appear wise
at the outset to attempt, in plain.
frank language, to establish clear
: understanding of the aims and scope.
Y as well perhaps, of the limitations, of
this station and its relation 10 the
practical potato growers of Idaho.
The expressions of those in this vicin-
ity with whom the writer has already
z conversed, rather lead to the impress
sion that a kind of panacea. a wonder
: full formula, or a new and startling
process may be worked out and offered
by the representatives of the Depart
I ment of Agriculture, which shall in
. some mysterious way Danish potato
I enemies from the state.
1t must be clearly comprehended
that from the very beginning of this
Il fight the victory will be won only by
{ the determined and concerted efforts.
r persistently carried on, of the potato
r growers themselves. Although we
trust that our studies will point the
way, success will, after all, depend on
' the individual and collective applica-
: tion, in at most thorough manner, of
II whatever methods are found to be eff
10 cacious. Probably the remedies will
prove to be simple enough in them
selves, requiring in their application
only thoroughness. patience. and per
u sistence. The Department of Agri-
Il culture has no magic wand or Alad-
4 ms lamp to offer. 1t is rather q
matter of brain and Drawn.
1t is then, the aim of this station
'r to study the methods of the most sue.
II cesful potato growers to determin,
I'll the cause of their success, also indie
NJ pendentiy to work out methods an,
lie make them known, if practical an'
successful; to study all potato dis
eases discovered within the state an'
IN endeavor to work out means of pre-