The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-09-03

pressed last night by government ex-
perts and experts from the Utah ASri-
cultural college at the Hotel Utah.
The experts have gathered for q
visit, investigation and conference on
potato conditions in Utah, the most
important of it's kind ever held in
the west
At the head of the party is DR..
Otto Apple Of the University Of Ber-
lin. Germany, who is considered the
greatest expert in the world on potato
diseases. He is under contract with
the department Of agriculture Of the
United States to mako a trip to the
principal potato-raising sections of
this country and give his advice AS
to the best method Of fighting the
various diseases.
Scientists In Party
In addition to tho noted German
expert the party is composed Of Pro
lessor w. A. Orion Of the depart
ment Of agriculture, Washington, D. C..
Professor William Stuart. horticul-
turist for the department Of agricul-
ture at Washington; Professor T. C..
Johnson OF the University Of Minnea-
polls. Professor w. ]. Morse OF the
Agricultural college of Maine, Pro-
lessor E. G. Starkman Of the Agricul-
tural college Of Virginia, Professor E..
G. Titus, Professor e. d. Ball, Pro-
lessor George H. Hill, Professor F..
S. Harris of the Utah college, Pro-
lessor H. J. Webb, farm demonstration
for Salt Lake county, and Professor
]. w. Stephens Of tho Jordan high
school. During the next three days
the party will be joined by ether ex-
perts from different parts of Utah.
Views Of Expert
In discussing the object of the trip
last night Professor Stuart said:
The object Of this trip of govern
ment experts in company with DR..
Apple, who is recognized as one O,
the greatest potato experts in the
world. is to try and find out If there
is not some remedy by which the
potato diseases Of the United States
can be eradicated The situation in
many parts of the country is extreme
ly grave and calls for some united
action on the part CT the department
at Washington and the farmers in
practically every state in tho union.
In Maine we found conditions about
normal In New York the crop this
year will be short Michigan, Min
neapolis, Vermont and Wisconsin will
have about fair crop, but not near
ly as good as they should have under
favorable conditions. Conditions in
parts Of Colorado are bad, as UNI
derstand they gro in Utah and other
western states So far we have
about come to ono conclusion. Thai
is that more care will have to be
used in the selection of seed and,
second. that crop rotation will have
to be practiced on many of the fields
OF the country in order that tho dis
ease may be wiped out.
Will ProIong Stay
1t was our intention to pend but
one day in Utah, but since arriving
here we have decided to spend the
better part of three days. Tomor-
row morning we will visit potato
fields in Salt Lake county; tomor-
row afternoon we will spend in Davis
county: Tuesday we will visit fields
in Weber and Boxelder counties,
and Wednesday we will be in Cache
county. From Utah we go to Idaho.
then to Washington and Oregon and
then to California. where the trip
will likely end
Professor E. D. Ball declared last
night that the potato conditions in
Utah this year were the worst in the
history Of the state. He said that
the crop for 1914 would be about so
per cent below normal and that the
loss to the Utah farmer would be
at least 81 100000. He also declared
that from the reports which he had
received, conditions in Idaho were
similar to those in Utah.
Professor George H. Hill said tina:
there were three diseases that were
mostly responsible for the present
trouble. These are 'black-leg." Fus-
arium wilt and Rhizoctonia. Professo
Hill said that the potato condition In