The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-11-20

shallow plowing of the piece to be
fallowed doesn't bury weed seeds so
deep that they won't germinate dur
ing that growing season for light
rains will penetrate down through
shallow blowing but might not get
down through deep plowing. Then,
too, he finds that this sort Of prepar-
alton is ideal fitting for the succeed
ing crop of wheat. Mr.. Porter grows
wheat, oats and potatoes--he believes
in potatoes-and his faith has been
justified. So strong is his belief in
the future of potato growing in the
northwest that he prophesied that in
the not far distant future Ward coun-
ty potatoes would be known from
Canada to the Gulf.
Some practical suggestions made by
this grower carry much weight. He
warned any prospective grower that
he must make provision for caring for
his potatoes. AS a first step he ad-
vises the construction of a simple
board lined pit or cave covered with
boards and straw.
The listeners could not help feeling
that Mr.. Porter's great success has
been due to at least three things:
First: Enthusiasm for his work.
Second: Intelligent cultural meth
DDS.
Third: A we'll grounded reputa-
tion for honest dealing.
Mr.. Porter pointed out that mar
ket demands and is willing to pay
for an honest product clean potato,
well graded as to size-cf superior
baking quality; and carefully handled
He emphasized the wisdom of han
ding, green mountain potatoes, which
are usually immature in baskets, and
always handling each basket care
fully.
DR.. H. L. Walster
DR.. H. L. Walster, agronomist at
the North Dakota Agricultural Col
lege, gave talk Friday afternoon on
Varieties of Corn for North Da-
kota." He emphasized that North
Dakota does grow corn"-that in fact
her 1919 yield is over 100000 bush
els, nearly one-third as much as the
1919 wheat crop. Corn has as
ten year average out-ranked spring
wheat as to condition of crop. The
ten year acreage condition for North
Dakota corn is 78 per cent and for
her spring wheat only 72 per cent.
Corn is the best crop in the state
this year-an average yield of near
ly 32 bushels being reported. Ward
county's yield is estimated at 26
bushels per acre.
The speaker pointed out the remark
able success that the Granville dem
onstration farm in Ward county has
had in growing corn-only two total
failures in the past 13 years; and four
bumper crops during that time.
Rustler's White Dent has been
grown most of that time, the corn
usually being planted by the middle
of May. Early planting is important
The speaker pointed out that the
short season variety, and the one that
will mature the most corn is usually
the best corn for the state. Certain
varieties have pretty definitely fixed
short season habit. Big corns are
usually long season corns.
The varieties available fall into five
groups from the point Of view of sea-
sons Of growth, the shortest season
being put first.
Group l - Early Flints = Dakota
White Flint, Gehu Flint.
Less commonly grown early flints
are: Burleigh County Mixed Squaw,
Ivory King Ia flour corn)
Group - Late Flints - Mercer is
the most promising. Other varieties
sometimes given are Triumph, Long
fellow and Smut Nose
Crop 3 = Semi-D -Dents-N orthwes'
Dent; Minnesota %; Minnesota King
Group A EARLY Dents-Rustler's
White Dent seems to be the most
promising. Other Varieties are: Pic
neer White Dent, Wells Square Deal
North Dakota Golden Dent, Dakota
Sunshine Dent.
Group 5 - Late Dents = Mime
sofa 13 is decidedly the most popular
and deseredly so.
The speaker cautioned against over
enthusiasm for late Dent Corns, and
noted the general trust-worthiness of
the early fints, especially Dakota
White Flint.
Potato Diseases
Prof. H. l.. Bolley, plant pathologist
at the North Dakota Agricultural col
lege, discussed the question of potato
diseases.
He emphasized that the appearance
Of the skin is often an index to the
health of the potato, Just as it is
an index to the health of man or a
woman
Not all potato diseases are borne
in the skin. One Of the worst, the
stem end rot is borne internally and
can be recognized by cutting off the
stem end.
He advocated the growing Of seed
plot. All potatoes seeded on the "seed
plot" should be cut 'off at the stem
end, and any showing stem end rot,
should be rejected if possible. These
potatoes should then be treated with
corrosive sublimate for the killing
of the potato-scab. The seed plot
should be planted on land that has
never grown potatoes before and
which is therefore presumably free
from potato diseases.
Seed produced in the seed plot can
be used the next year for planting
the bulk fields.
Prof. Bolley pointed out that Ward
county has many advantages over the