Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-04-18

In nVe gallons OF hot water and after
ward diluted with Is gallons of water.
If corrosive sublimate cannot be had.
one pint Of formaldehyde 40 per cent?
in thirty gallons of water may be used.
In this solution the seed should be
soaked two hours. The seed should
be dried after soaking or else planted
Immediately: Minnesota Experiment
Station Bulletin No. 1853 gives further
information as to treatment.
HOW TO CUT THE SEED.
The seed piece should be uniform
and blocky in shape, about one ounce
In weight. If seed are very scarce,
the pieces may be cut to one-half
ounce. The first piece is taken from
the stem end by cut diagonally
across the potato. Finally, the seed
end is divided. The number of pieces
to the potato depends upon the size
and variety of the potato. An eight
ounce Early Ohio will have from
twelve to fifteen eyes, and If small
pieces are taken nearly as many piec-
es may be taken. A Rural New York
er or Green Mountain potato will cut
from eight to twelve pieces. With
care In cutting the cost of seeding
may be materially reduced.
WHEN TO CUT THE SEED.
Seed potatoes should be cut not
more than day or two before plant
ing. Much damage may be prevented
If the pieces are spread out in a thin
layer on disinfected floor Of canvas
in order to dry slightly on the cut sur
faces. Slightly dried pieces are more
readily worked through the planter.
HOW MUCH TO PLANT. I.
Twelve bushels of the early vari-
cites and ten bushels of the late will
be required to the acre, If one-ounce
pieces are planted in rows three feet
apart, the early varieties being placed
fifteen inches apart in the rows and
the late eighteen inches apart.
METHODS OF PLANTING.
In small fields the hand planter may
be used. In planting larger areas
either the picker or the two-man type
Of machine must be used. Coopera-
ton in the use of the larger planters
will reduce the cost of production.
Every planter in community should
be kept working to its full capacity to
this end.
DEPTH OF PLANTING.
0O0u SAouAA O0 PAdAtOu AOuI i've
inches deep in light soils and from
three to four inches deep in heavier
soils.
CARE AFTER PLANTING.
Within ten days after planting, the
potato field should be narrowed with
spike-tOOthed harrow across the
rows; to level down the rows and to
kill weeds. Within another ten days,
just as the potatoes are beginning to
sprout, the field should again be har-
rowed, the teeth of the harrow being
set at an angle to prevent uprOoting
the plants. If weeds are very num-
erous, the field should be narrowed
more frequently. Minnesota Farmers
Library Bulletin No. 80 gives addi-
tional details as to potato cultivation.
SEED POTATO PLOTS.
Every potato grower should have a
seed potato plot. He should select
his best tubers, those which are true
to type and free from diseases. Then
he should give his plot extraordinary
care. Virgin soil or piece of land
which has not grown potatoes for at
least five years should be used for the
plot. Minnesota Farmers Library
Bulletin NO. so gives detailed infor.
nation as to seed potato plots.
SURPLUS SEED SHOULD BE
| REPORTED.
Those having more than enough
seed potatoes should report to r. S
Macintosh, University Farm. Those
in need of supplies should also report
to Mr.. Macintosh. He will endeavo1
to bring seller and buyer together tc
their common advantage and for the
good of the country in the present
emergency of war.