Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-06-08


of this treatment on the tubers is TO
retard sprouting and the sprouts
which do start are so stocky and
strong that they do not break off cas-
lily by subsequent handling.
The potatoes should be treated for
Scab and Black Scurf Question g
when they are taken from the storage
to "Green-Sprout." They can be kept
in this manner for at least six weeks
without becoming injured for seed
purposes.
6. How should seed potatoes be
selected?
Seed potatoes should be selected
from the healthy, most productive and
otherwise most desirable hills in a
part of the potato field set aside for
that purpose All tubers which show
external or internal evidence of dis
ease should be rejected from the seed
stock.
The diseases most likely TO be found
on Michigan grown potatoes are
Common Scab, Black Scurf (Rhizoc-
tonia), Dry or Late Blight Rot and
Eusarium Wilt. Powdery Scab might
be introduced in seed stock imported
from other states.
Z. Should small potatoes be used for
seed?
Small potatoes from healthy produc-
tive hills are satisfactory for seed
purposes.
Small potatoes from seed stock
which has not been hill selected or
from which the diseased and weak
hills were not removed should not be
used for seed.
8. How should seed potatoes be
treated to prevent Scab and Black
Scurf?
When there is little or no evidence
of Black Scurf on the tubers they
should be treated with Formaldehyde.
1t is as effective against scab as Cor
rosive Sublimate and because it is not
so poisonous is less dangerous to use
Formaldehyde can be used safely af-
ter the tubers have begun to sprout
as we'll as when they are dormant.
Corrosive Sublimate is more effec-
tive than Formaldehyde when used to
control Black Scurf. 1t should, there
fore, be used when the tubers show
considerable evidence of Black Scurf
or when this disease has been serious
the previous season. 1t should be used
only when the tubers are dormant
mot sprouted).
Materials-method of preparing and
length of treatment:
"Formaldehyde $40 per cent
strength is used at the rate of one
pound or pint to thirty gallons OF
water. The seed should be soaked one
and one-half TO two hours. 1t does
not lose its strength very rapidly while
being used nor when standing if the
container is tightly covered.
Corrosive Sublimate is used at the
rate of one ounce of crystals TO seven
and one-half gallons of water. The
seed should be soaked in this solution
one and one-half hours and no longer.
The sublimate should be renewed af-
ter three or four patches of potatoes
have been treated as it loses its
strength quite rapidly.
Corrosive Sublimate is a deadly
poison and should be kept away from
children and live stock"
When and how to treat:
"The potatoes can be treated with
either material several weeks, if de-
sired. before planting. Care should
be taken. however. not to reinfect the
tubers by placing them in used crates
or sack which have not been disiniect-
ed.
when only few bushels of po-
tatoes are to be treated they can be
placed in gunny sacks and submerged
in a barrel from which the death has
been removed.
when large quantities are to be
treated a tank should be provided for
the purpose. The tank should be wide
enough TO allow two rows of potatoes
crates to be placed in it side by side,
and deep enough so the potatoes,
crates and all, can be submerged. II
can be made any length desired