Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-03-03
Urges MORE CARE
IN GROWING SPUDS
ONE OF MOST PROFITABLE
CROPS, POTATOES ARE ALSO
MOST NEGLECTED..
BY r.. l.. Dalton,
OF the State Department of Agricul-
tura.

turo.
The potato crop of Washington is
one of the most profitable crops pro-
duced, yet the most neglected. Ex-
cepting two or three districts of the
state, potato culture has ever been,
and yet is, o side issue with the
growers. They are planted not from
a standpoint of profit but as filler
for home consumption, and as a rule
proper cultivation and the necessary
care are not practiced, as a result of
which there is a perceptible reduction
in yield. And yet, despite these
facts confronting us, during 1915 OF
all agricultural crops produced in
Washington the potato crop ranked
third. Approximately eight and one
half millions of bushels were pro-
duced, which brought nearly four and
ope-half millions of dollars, and yet
this supply was inadequate, as thou
sands of tons were shipped in from
other states and Canada.
In Western Washington, where
little attention other than planting is
given this crop, the average yield per
acre is from four to six tons. Other
localities where every attention pos
sible is given and every scientific
method employed for profitable pro-
duction, the average yield is about
12 tons per acre, with an average
price of $12 per ton at digging time.
Figuring on basis of IL tons per
acre, the actual cost Of production is
approximately $40, which leaves a
net margin of over 500 per acre to
the grower.
Diseases.
The potato of Washington is sub
ject to some diseases, of which blight.
blackleg and brown rot are the most
serious. In many instances. unless
methods are employed to combat
them, these diseases sometimes mean
. total loss.
They are easily controlled pro-
vided proper precaution is taken for
their control. Late blight 10 caused
by q funkus. phytophthora infestans.
which lives over winter in q more or
less dormant condition % q thread
like growth in the decayed areas Of
affected tubers and in the soil where
infected potatoes had been grown
during preceding years. It is there.
fore imperative that clean seed be
planted in clean soil, soil free from
infestation.
It is doubtful that subsequent con-
troll of late blight fungus can be
brought about by dipping seed pota-
toes in q formaldehyde solution or
corrosive sublimate solution, there
fore 1t is of the highest importance
that great care be exercised in the
selection of seed for planting that it
be as free as possible from disease.
As a precaution against blackleg
and scab, the seed should be treated
before cutting by soaking for two
hours in a solution of formaldehye
made by diluting one pint OF 40 per
cent formaldehyde in 80 gallons of
water, or one and one-half hours in
solution of corrosive sublimate
made by dissolving four ounces OF
the poison in 80 gallons of water.
The plants should be thoroughly
sprayed at intervals of two weeks with
Bordeaux mixture $3.50 from the
time they are eight inches high until
growth has ceased. This mixture
properly applied prevents late blight.
checks early blight, lessons the loss
from brown rot. stimulates the plant
and increases the yield.
Varieties and Grading.
There are two serious mistakes
that growers of Western Washington
make. One is, they insist on plant
ing too many varieties. This practice
precludes obtaining orders for car
load lots which the present market
demands. One commercial variety
for each district is sunicient. by
which means. quantity lots can easily
be obtained at an increased price.
Let each community indorse one
good commercial variety and stick
to it, and soon thatscommunity will
become known to the trade and buy
ers will seek business. but under
present conditions the Western
Washington potato is drug on the
market.
The second mistake, and one which
the grower must eventually correct
10 In the grading. It 10 a. essential