The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1916-08-18


Soil that is sweet, we'll drained, full Of
organic matter and free from parasitic
life will give bumper yields of pota-
toes under systematic cultivation.
When farmer has such land he should
do his best to bring on paying crops.
Soggy or impoverished land is not to
be used for potatoes
One great advantage in raising
value for live stock and poultry, so that
the crop is not loss no matter how
low the market is. When farmer has
heavy supply Of potatoes he is able to
sell off his grain more closely than he
otherwise could. Potatoes boiled and
mixed with mill stuff are an excellent
ration for cattle, hogs and fowls.
Culled potatoes should generally be
used in this way. Both early and late
varieties have special merits and work
nicely in double crop schemes. A
grower instead of experimenting with
every variety that he hears Of should
get one or two kinds that are known to
Ue SOOu uLu SllCh W tucll.
The necessity for disinfecting seed
potatoes is evident. All seed from un-
known sources should be disinfected
as well as all concerning which there
is the slightest doubt. One method
of disinfecting is to soak the potatoes
in a formaldehyde solution, a pint to
thirty gallons of water. This is the
best method for ordinary potato pests.
If there is large quantity to be dis
infected good way is to place them
in an air tight room, laying the pota-
toes on trays or boards so that the air
can get between them. Then for each
1000 cubic feet of space use twenty
three ounces of potassium permanga-
nate and three pints of formalin. Place
the permanganate in a thin layer in
the bottom of pail three feet or more
from the potatoes. Pour the formalin
into the pail and let stand for twenty
four hours or longer.
If disease or insects are known to be
in the soil it is best to spray regularly.
Bordeaux is the most effectual remedy
for parasitic diseases. OF chief impor-
lance is early spraying. The mixture
for both insects and fungi is made as
follows: Copper sulphate, five pounds;
fresh lime, five pounds; water, fifty
gallons, paris green, one pound, or lead
arsenate, three pounds. Those who
have large acreage can afford to keep
stock Of this material on hand, using
separate vessels for the lime and the
copper sulphate.
Rotation of crops must be practiced
in order to keep the soil clean. If
fresh manure is to be used it should be
applied the fall before, but well rotted
manure may be applied in the spring.
Lime should not be applied directly be-
fore planting. Experiments indicate
that sulphate of potash produces a bet
ter quality than the muriate. Potatoes,
which have greater value per acre
than other crops, will respond profit
ably to heavier applications of fertiliz-
ers. A fertilizer known as the 1910
mixture is recommended as a good
formula for potatoes. These prepared
fertilizers will pay when used at the
rate of $500 pounds per acre, one-half
at the time Of planting in rows and the
remainder over the rows about the
time the plants are coming up.
No farmer should depend on potatoes
as an exclusive crop, but success will
come by making them part Of the
mixed farming plan. The soil must be
right and the seed reliable to get good
results. With a little care on these
points potatoes are likely to exceed the
expectations Of those who cultivate
them.