The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1918-12-12

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Bureau Manager, Verne Steward
were automatically members Of the
County Threshing committee by rea-
son Of their positions. "a meeting Of
twenty six Of the threshermen 8 and
farmers Of the county was held in ] Mi
laca on August l, at which Mr.. Joseph
Wolf Of Princeton, was elected to rep
resent the threshermen as the third
member of the committee. The
threshermen voted to use two can
vases in threshing, and the prices
agreed upon for the county were six
cents for oats and barley, and eight
cents for rye and wheat. Neither the
County Threshing committee or any
one else had any power in the setting
of prices or to hold the threshermen
to these prices. The question of pric-
es in Mile Laos county was raised by
the threshermen themselves, and the
prices given were agreed upon by all
present after full discussion. These
prices were approved as being fair by
the State Representative, Mr.. Z. B.
Bassett. The reason for federal SUI
pervision Of threshing was to elimi-
nate losses Of the grain due to over
crowding Of machines and due to the
use Of machines in poor repair. The
Bureau Of Markets of the U. s. De-
partment Of Agriculture, has requir-
ed every thresherman to report on the
last day Of each month to the County
Agent the amount of wheat threshed,
the number Of acres and for whom
threshed. Mile Laos county has
made the record of $4,000 bushels in
! wheat production for the year.
POTATO IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The potato Improvement work was
divided into three heads: Standard
zation Of varieties, seed selection and
treating Of seed. Seven special meet
ings were held explaining the different
phases of the subject, with 800 peo-
pie attending. In addition the work
was discussed more or less completely
at several farmers club meetings.
Fewer and standard varieties has
been the aim. There is no need for
over three or four varieties in the
county, with each of these varietal
types recognized and kept pure.
Mixed varieties lead to low standards,
while the prices received for carloads
of mixed stock are always consider
ably lower than for carloads Of
straight stock.
Seed selection is necessary for po-
tato improvement. It is necessary to
keep varieties pure, to keep variety
type, to keep up the strength of the
stock, and to eliminate potato dis
eases. This work must be done care
fully.
The experience Of this year proves
conclusively that the treating Of seed
is necessary. In all cases this year
formalin was used but next year only
corrosive sublimate will be recon-
mended. With % per cent losses
from rhizoctonia, disease which is
carried over on the skin Of the potato
and which is not greatly affected by
the formalin treatment, we must use
corrosive sublimate solution. 1t is
believed that this will be obtainable
next year.
Potato Demonstrations:
The report of the potato demonstra-
tions cannot be given in detail as this
would require too much space Ten
farmers were enrolled to cooperate
as demonstrators. The results OBJ
tanned were very interesting although
in some ways a disappointment. The
farmers were asked to select and
treat seed for several rows Of the
fields so that a direct comparison
could be made to show the benefits Of
such practises. All cooperators but
one completing the work reported
themselves as pleased with the re-
suits obtained, being so convinced of
the practical value of this as to carry
on the practice from year to year. In
practically all instances the seed for
both the treated and untreated plots
was Of equal quality instead of being
field run in comparison with carefully
selected stock. There is nothing from
the results obtained to show definitely
the value Of carefully selecting the
seed as was intended.
Formalin solution in two cases APP
peared to cut down the stand. TIE
reason for this is not explainable at
the present time as seed properly
ha nd1nd in troo timer should mt Eoco ;+u