Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-10-31


@ is described in the following article @
, @ by Q, j. Mcintosh news editor for @
o the Oregon Agricultural College. o
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Especial to the Farm Magazine.)
THAT there are no potatoes grown
in the entire United States
wholly free from insect and
disease pests, and that the race Of
spuds throughout America is rapidly
deteriorating, were two facts Of vast
Importance brought out at the emer-
gency potato convention recently
held in Stockton, California. It was
claimed in this connection that some
Of the great and standard strains,
such as the Burbank in the West
and the Early Rose in the East, are
showing unmistakable signs Of deter
ioration.
Treatment by formalin and other
fungicides has proven of much prac-
tical use in the effort to secure dis
ease-free potatoes. For some Of the
diseases 1t has proven to be a per-
feet control, but for others 1t is not
of the slightest value. Taken all in
all the main dependence for grow
ing potatoes that are free from all
these pests Is to be put in the devel-
opment Of resistant strains supple
mented by proper cultural methods
Special Investigation.
A special investigation of the po-
tato-disease question is being made
by the department Of Plant Path
ology. It was In connection with
these Investigations that Professor
Bailey made the trip to Stockton
with the party OF potato experts
from the United States Department
Of Agriculture and from different
parts OF Europe. For this potato
disease condition Is not confined to
this country, but has grown to be
one Of the serious production prob
lens in some Of the leading potato
countries Of the Old World. II Is
expected that valuable information
will be secured in the Investigations
carried on by the Agricultural Col
lege staff OF experts, and that much
useful knowledge will soon reach
the growers through their efforts.
TO Meet Expense.
When asked how growers are ex-
pected to make good on the in
creased cost Of producing potatoes
for seed that are free from pests
and of good quality otherwise, Pro-
fessor f. d. Bailey, research assist
ant in plant pathology at the Agri-
cultural College, replied that there
are two or three ways in which they
will be recompensed for their addi-
tional trouble and expense. In the
first place, California growers offer
bonus on clean, well grown and
properly inspected seed. While the
amount OF this bonus was not stated,
and perhaps cannot be definitely
known until determined by actual
experience, II will surely bo enough
to cover cost Of inspection, and to
pay for tho extra work In caring
for the crop during its growth and
after II Is harvested. Extra effort
and expense will also be rewarded
in increased production and more
salable potatoes. The system Of ro-
tatlon by which alone dsease-free
potatoes can be economically grown
should also prove OF real value In
the general farming system.
Inspection Necessary.
In view Of the rather startling
announcement that disease and In
sect-freo potatoes Of desirable var
ieties and type are not produced
within the United States and that
immense quantities Of such are de-
sired for seed In many sections OF
the country, competition may be de-
pended upon quite largely TO ad-
vance the price Of potatoes that
meet all these requirements. It will
be necessary in all cases, however TO
have the product inspected by COM
petent authorities who certify 10 the
quality Of the product II II is TO
secure the bonus offered by potato
men. This inspection need not be
very burdensome II generally prac-
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