The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1918-01-12
A SANDY, WELL DRAINED, MOIST
uRE RETENTlvE SOIL is
BEST FOR POTATOES.
TREAT FOR sCAs DISEASE
All Seed Should Be Treated For Scab
Whether the Disease Is Wis
ibie Or Not.


price of seed is not too high, it is like
ly that the acreage of Irish potatoes
will be substantially increased the
coming year. In view of the high cost
of seed. fertilizer. and labor. 1t will
be well for the potato grower to put
forth extra effort to produce good
crop so as to realize reasonable re-
turn on his efforts as well as supply
the country with much needed food.
The potato makes a very acceptable
substitute for wheat Most everybody
likes it. Grow and eat more potatoes
and save the wheat.
To make satisfactory crop Of Irish
potatoes in this section it is necessary
to plant the seed early in the season
so as to harvest the crop before hot
weather comes. The higher prices
usually received for the very early po-
tatoes encourage early planting OF
early varieties. Special risks are OF
ten taken to reach the early market.
When To Plant.
Owing to the irregularity OF the sea-
son and the variations in soil types in
Louisiana. no definite dates for plant
ing can be given. Beginners should
consult their farm demonstration
agent and experienced growers in
their vicinity. Late January or early
February (this latitude, Baton Rouge)
FOR early varieties would be about an
iverage time, giving Triumph pota-
oes, say, for late April and early May
harvesting. Northward and southwark
N the state planting would be made
'ater and earlier, as the case may be,
Under normal conditions.
Varieties.
The Red Triumph is the variety
most popular for early planting. 1t is
1 round. red potato, that is very early
end meets the market demands. AS
must be expected. the Triumph is
low yielder. 1t frequently sells for
premium in competition, with white
varieties.
Another variety rapidly growing in
popularity is the Irish Cobbler This
S an early white potato.
A late white potato known rs the
White Star is frequently planted In
he southern portion of the state. The
Burbank and Peerless are also grown
or late harvest
Source of Seed.
Quantities of Triumph seed come
rom the Rcd River valley in Minneso-
"a Much Homegrown stock finds its
way into Southern seed channels.
Growers must be cautious about pur-
chasing their seed stock. See that the
'ubers are free from diseases. This
-aution applies especially to the
naine-grown stock.
Homegrown seed from the fall har-
rest is also used. As rule it is quite
Tree Of scab and othe- diseases. and
very desirable. The crop from this |
iced is usually little later than from |
Northern grown seed, but the yield is |
frequently greater.
Quantity of Seed.
Fertility of soil and other conditions
lave direct bearing on the size OF /
he seed piece to plant A plant in |
)oor soil will need much more nour-
shment from the mother seed-piece
han one starting in a rich soil where
liant food is abundant Eight, ten,
md twelve bushels of seed per acre |
re commonly used under average
conditions when paintings ere made
N 3 IL or foot ridges, and the seed
'ieces are dropped about II inches
part Sugar planters frequently plant
n 5 IL to foot ridges ard nut corn
q the furrow before the potatoes are
Treat With FormsIdehyde.
Potato scab is usually found on seed
otato stock. Our plant disease spe-
ialist advises the treatment of seed
otatoes with formaldehyde whether
ny scab is visible or not. 20 small
mount of the disease is liable to Re
Therefore, soak the coed
otatoes for two hours in solution
lade by mixing one pint of CONNER ;
ial formalydehyde with thirty gallons
water. Growers should not neglect
his. For particulars send for Extcn-
on Circular No. 8 On potato scab.
Fertilizers.
Early Irish potatoes require a sandy. !
ell-drained and moisture-retentive
oil. They should not be planted on
I'D. poorly-drained, heavy land
1t is difficult to state what fertility.
. should be used for potatoes as CON
lions are so variable. Each grower
iould work out his own fertilizer
-oblems. AS a very general guide II
light be said that cotton seed meal
i'd high grade acid phosphate ZIG per
mt available phosphoric acid) in va {
ing proportions and quantities per "A