Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-04-10

Since his arrival in Jerome, the writer
has visited several potato cellars in this
vicinity. The serious nature OF the dry
rot had not been fully realized until
these INSPECTIONS had been made. The
slogan OF the Idaho potato grower hence
forth must be "clean seed In every
cell ,r visited there was abundant evil
dence OF dry rot. Although a first glance
at the contents of some sacks and bins
showed tubers apparently sound and
in good condition, close examination
revealed the fact that large percentage
OF them bore injected spots. These in
iected areas were almost invariably AT
the site OF bruises or punctures. The
fungus will not readily attack perfectly
sound, unbruised potatoes
1t will, Therefore, be necessary to make
an exceedingly careful examination OF
all potatoes intended for seed, remorse
lessly discardng any showing even the
smallest infected spot, and all wounded,
punctured, cut or bruised potatoes. Do
not attempt even to get single cuttings
rom any such tubers although many oil
The eyes may be surrounded by appar-
emily healthy tissue This work should
not be entrusted to laborer, it is too
important.
Although scab was not observed to be
present 10 amy serious extent, it was to
be seen on potatoes in all cellars visited
1t is therefore advisable that, after the
tubers have been selected and cut, they
toe soaked for two hours in Il solution
made up OF pint OF 10 per cent formalin
to 80 gallons OF water 1t has been
stated by some growers that they have
not noted any protective quality in such
treatment, but on questioning them it
was learned that the cuttings or potatoes
had been merely dipped, or at most
soaked only Jew minutes. This work
must be thoroughly done. Whole sacks
OF cuttings mas be immersed in tubs or
watts OF the solution. Alter treatment,
they should be spread on level piece OF
ground, or on barn floor ii it be large
enough, until surface dry, OF nearly so.
They'are then ready for planting. The
acreage planted by some growers is so
large that special watts, capable OF hold
ing about ten sacks at once, will have to
DE constructed. By having a series OF
four or five such watts a large quantity of
cuttings could be handled
This cleanliness should apply to every
thing connected with the handling OF
| potatoes;
Still another point in regard to what
might be called sanitary measures:
Should any implement whatsoever have
been used in ground infected with the
dry rot fungus last season, or in the
handling OF potatoes that have proved to
be infected, those implements should be
thoroughly cleansed by scraping and
washing-turn the hose on them-then
be disinfected with a solution OF formalin,
say pints to 80 gallons OF water, or
standard Bordeaux mixture might be
sprayed on the working parts, or a sou-
ton OF pounds OF copper sulphate to ~
gallons OF water may be used. Iron YES
sells, even galvanized iron ones, should
not be used with copper solutions These
precautions also apply to the sacks which
may have held injected potatoes. With
out these measures the land or the cut
tings may become infected through the
implements, sacks, etc. Sacks may be
soaked for two hours or more in the |
ioimalin solution and dried before using
again. Nor should seed potatoes or cut |
tings be placed on cellar or other
floor upon which diseased potatoes have
rested, unless such floor has first been |
thoroughly disiniected. All this means !
work and thoroughness, but it is tie |
only way to insure success.
Measures must be taken to prevent the
further introduction OF diseased seed no
tatOes:
Already most states have enacted quar-
antine laws to prevent the introduction
OF diseased bearing fruit trees, and various
kinds OF impure seed Similar measures
should be devised and strictly operated
IN regard to the potato. Inscriptions
or ignorant seedsmen and others would |
soon be forced to furnish clean seed or
lose the business.
Select only the best potatoes for seed:
In some OF the cellars visited it was
seen that small potatoes, in other words,
culls, had been selected for seed. Although
these may have been very uniform
IN size, also smooth, shallow-eyed, and
in fairly good condition, and though it
was the intention to plant them whole,
such a practice is not recommended
Size, as well as other qualities OF the po-
tato, is inherited. Recent experiments
have shown that it is in every way adj
vantageous to select only the very best,
fine, large, clean tubers for seed. The
farmer should set the highest valuation
on his own seed stock. What would be
thought of the stock breeder if he kept