The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-01-23
IDAHO IDEAL FOR
POTATO GROWING
NATURAL ADVANTAGES IN THIS
STATE UNEXCELLED, DECLARES
INSTITUTE SPEAKER

= "The natural advantages for grow
> ing potatoes in Idaho are unexcelled,
. declared E. R. Bennett, field horti
culturist of the University of Idaho
in his address before the formers in
%stitute at Morrill, hall yesterday after
noon. THE yields per acre in the state
are high as compared with other pc
tato growing districts of the United
States. The total production is ex-
ceeding small compared with New
York and Michigan. The quality oil
the Idaho potato is good when well
grown and is always in demand at a
premium in eastern markets.
THE great need in Idaho is more
uniformity in varieties and Standard
cation. This is best accomplished with
seed breeding or plot work. The ex-
tension department of the university
started work along this line last sea-
son; one hundred and fifty plots were
planted, the seed of which was careful
ly selected from the bins. (They
should be selected by hills from the
fields.) All that had spots Of Rhizoc-
tonia were rejected. The stem ends
were cut off and all that showed dis
~coloration from the fusarium disease
were also rejected. These tubers were
then soaked one and one-half hours
l n a solution consisting of four pun
ces of corrosive sublimate in 80 gal
Ions of water. The seed was then plan
ted in clean soil, alfalfa or clover
land preferred.
AT blossoming time these plots were
carefully gone over and all diseased
plants and those not true to type
or variety were removed. This crop
has again been examined and when
found clean was certified for seed.
THE unirrigated sections of the
state have a great opportunity in grow
ing seed to be used in irrigated dis
~tricts. The great demand is for seed
of the early varieties, such as Irish
lCobbler, Early Ohio, or other early
varieties. There is also a demand for
many cars of good type. clean Melted
Gems and Idaho Rurals. Most grow
ers prefer immature seed that is pota-
toes that were planted late so that
there is insufficient time to ripen."
Appeals For Fewer Varieties
E. E. Stark, a prominent potato
grower and shipper of Garfield, Wash,
made a strong appeal for standardized
ton and fewer varieties. MI. Stark
said the growers did not grade close
enough-too many small potatoes were
allowed to get into the sacks. Toe
many varieties are grown in the coun-
try. The market demands standard
varieties such as Melted Gem, Gold
age through the middle west, the po-
tato buyers are looking to the North
west for their potatoes this year.
How to Kill Insects
The important points brought out
in Professor Edmundson's talk on po-
Itato insects included the following:
TT control the Colorado potato bee
tie, use powdered arsenate of lead,
one and one-half pounds to 80 gallons
of water or three-fouIths of a pound
of Paris Green and two pounds of lime
to so gallons of water. A few adults
may be killed with early s~prayings, but
spray should be applied when first
eggs appear. For the potato flea bee
tie, use Bordeaux mixture. 1t does
not kill but acts as a repellant.
EARLY blight may be checked by
spraying with Bordeaux mixture, five
pounds of copper sulphate, five pounds
of lime to 80 gallons of water. A
combination spray may be used to con-
troll all three pests"
Herman Wilson. a local merchant,
Professor Burrill of the entomology
department, and Professor Hamilton
of the agricultural engineering depart
ment Of the university, contributed to
the program.
Program Pleases Ranchers
IF | had heard these discussions
years ago, and had received pota-
to bulletin No.. 10, issued by the agri-
cultural department, I could have
saved myself considerable trouble and
expense" said one prominent farmer
at the close of the program.
Another said that the talk on seed
treatment and seed certification was
well worth the expense connected with
coming in to attend the institute.
Il am we'll pleased with the pro-
said another rancher. at was
worth many dollars to me-"