Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-13
SEED IMPROVE
MENT IN MAINE

of Sanford, the chief of the Bureau Of
Seed Improvement. which has been filed
with the Governor and Council states
that the shipping of certified seed is now
going on and requires the presence of an
inspector in Aroostook county the most
OF the time, but outside Of Aroostool
very little shipping is done. as yet
This is due in part. | believe" says
Mr.. Newdck, to the fact that the price
for local consumption is better than is
being offered for seed for Southern use
Outside Of the certification of seed
this bureau has endeavored by all the
means at its command. to keep in touch
Wlth the seed situation, so as to be able
ar all times to acquaint prospective buy
ers with those who had seed for sale. The
demand Of the government FOR increased
acreage last spring brought an unpre-
cedented demand for seed and found the
supply short. The result was the farm
ers pald high price for stock and. in
many cases, could not secure what thew
wanted. 1t is my opinion that this same
condition Will occur again if drastic steps
are not taken to conserve the supply for
1915
IN view of the fact that this is the
lrst year that a stipula ted sum of money
las been available for seed improyemep.
WORK, the question may be asked why
was not more accomplished than was
done in 1916? / think I can answer This
III part by referring to the policy adopted
iast spring, namely, war emergency work
was paramount to all other With this
III MIND and with the consent of Con,yn;s
sIoher Roberts, l have acted as eyecu+,yo
secretary of the State committee on fond
production and conserva ton since its IN
ception in April. 1917.
MS work which | have been NOR.
''''i $50" 10 90, has occupied a greater
p"rt III my Tune rs well as the time of a
part OF the office force. l have, however
peen able to link the work of the corn,,,
Zee with that of the Bureau OF Seed ~
proVement in such way that fee, tb.
me department of Agriculture has
not been neglected. For examine h,
means or a State committee, a seed savin,
lamp ish mas been conducted and is No.
hiilshed yet, the results of which arc oil,
ready apparent because MANY inou;r;o
for seed are coming in all tho ti,,.
Ht' ~ plOinlSeQ to
o'' Secu early. Nearly all the oranges
81 apart one night for a good seed
oe'iiis' ana in several counties tho
ooun'S agent has held meetings. The D..
pdftlfieht OF Agriculture has also se,+ ~.
hidnH speakers on the subject of s..a o..
i'io' IN summing up, l think. II re,son
aoie 10 say that never before wac .hou.
such an agitation for the use of bet,a,.
seed than there is now.
me continued wet OF the
"-aue me spread of,plant diseases q ve-,,
easy matter as the spores ranroa,,o.
spread much more rapidly ,ndor -.
Early IN August the LAT,
T Tnis a began to sw and spread ra pidiy
M. oisease is the worst potato enen,,.
70 nave and, coupled with tho a.r,,.
os' u september cut the WELD il ~
STATE at least SOD 100 barrels. which
= TOSS OF several million dollars - ~,
farmers Although many farmers snr. ,.as
lalthtuily with Bordeaux mix,ure 80
seemed 10 be unable to prevent Tho -,
n"s"t rom spreading, once it got star.o,,
oohie OF the factors to be cons,dan.a
se''iiS the best results from tho - :.
bordeaux mixture are as fo,,or
proper mixing of the ingredients. sooa,,,
carry application because Borde,,x -
lure is preventive rather than 60
- "se OF Two or three nozzles N /,
NV nozzle to be set at an ang,o ~,
"''Nlure applied under high nress,,ro
y poor growing season. OF conrso
""u us erect on grains. and al, cro,.
MI ~ potatoes. We are called unon -
inspect oats being grown for can.; , -
aes H. Pug this year, in nearly every case
q poor stand was noted. The Co.,, "se
~ snow more than 50 per cent ger,,t, ~
~, anu after starting, did not maf,o
sou growth ! Will say that after lien,
IL several fields. saw only ono ~,
seemed TO be first class. Taking tbis CO.
"'eahs OF computing PERCENTAGES ~
good o VI i'l' is way below norma, and
~ ior 1913 will undoubtedly be
be