The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-13

(By Fl. l.. Bolley, North Dakota
Experiment station).
1t is gradually being made clear that
North Dakota lands are extremely
suitable for the growing of fine quail
ty of potatoes, especially for southern
markets for seed purposes. 1t Is eX-
tremely important that the grade Of
these potatoes should be maintained
SO that market conditions may be met
with increasing reputation for this
region.
While the lands are virgin or new
to cultivation, it is probable they con-
tain no form of potato diseases. The
diseases of potatoes, like weeds in
other crops, are brought along with
the seed into the new county. Potato
scab is one Of the most common Of
the fungus pests of potatoes, and
when once introduced into the land
stays for a number of years n only
intensive cultivation can remove it.
Therefore, prevention is the most i'm
p~ortant thing. The best way to pre-
vent potato scab and indeed all of the
other potato diseases which are now
known is to keep up a systematic and
consistent system of crop rotation. Do
not put potatoes on the same land
more often than once in every three
or -four years. Try to have another
kind of cultivated crop on this land at
least once between potato crops. Corn
is most satisfactory for this purpose.
Having kept the Ian clean and free
from diseases and weeds by proper
tillage and cultivation, the next sub
jeCt is to properly select the seed. The
same type of careful selection and
treatment which will keep the land
free from potato scab will also allow
you to keep it free from the rots of
potatoes which are introduced in the
soil. There are several of these diff
ferent kinds of potato rots and blights
but the same process of seed selection
works in all cases.
Selecting the ~seed-There are two
ways to select seed. o. the careful
and most systematic way is to select it
from the field, selecting the tubers
from the most healthy, normal look
ing hills or vines and always taking
the ones which produce the shape OF
tuber that you want to grow; (2)
selecting from the bin: In selecting
from the bin, you can make a good
selection only when you have a pure
variety, as, for example, Early Chic
1t is very wise to select a variety
which the market demands and Early
Ohio or Triumph or Irish Cobblel
seem to be about the chief varieties
that the eastern and southern market
expect to gel in this region. If yor
already have a pure variety, when Sc
lecting your seed in the spring fol
planting purposes, select only tubers
which are of nice, even size and Of
the shape you want to grow. Selec,
smooth skin fellows. The skin shoulC
be free from any indication of checks
scabs or discolorations. If the pota'
toes are muddy, it will pay to throw
them into running water or wasl
them off by scrubbing or rubbing il
a large bath of some sort to get rio
of the mud.
How to treat the tubers to proven
introducing scab, rot or blight int
the soil: Make UP a solution Of cor
~rosive sublimate. Use ten ounces o
pulverized corrosive sublimate TO
each sixty gallons of water Gone ounce
to each six gallons). Have the drug
gist pulverize the powder for you
dissolve the corrosive sublimate in
small amount Of hot water SO as t