The Delta independent., 1920-04-30
STATE HoRTIcULTURIsT GIVES
RULES FOR cERTIFlcArIoN

| AOCAAlI, SuiSl D0puty SIdto
Horticulturis,t has prepared for pub
lication the following rules regading
cetification Of seed potatoes:
| Due to the inteest being shown by
potato growers in the growing Of GER
titled potato seed, the following art
icle is written to give the growers a
better understanding of certification,
how to grow certified seed, and finally
a statement OF the rules and regula-
tions governing certification.
In Colorado the certification of
potatoes is in charge Of the State
horticulturist, Horticulture depart
ment, Fort Collins, Colorado. The
inspections are made by the State hor-
ticulturist OF some other representa-
tives of the Horticulture department
of Agricultural college.
Anyone who has clean ground locat-
ed at high altitude. who Is care
full farmer and will follow the in
structions below can grow certified
seed. Only those who can and will
come UP to these standards should
try to grow this kind of seed. The
best growers may have their crop
turned down once in while.
Cetified seed potatoes are potatoes
which have been inspected by proper
officials and found to come up to CIV
en- standards The standards for Col
orado are given late.
The purposes of certifying seed are
many, but the most important are:
1. 1t puts a premium on better
seed and better cultural methods.
The methods of the commercial
the better results obtained by the use
of improved methods In the seed
fields.
8. Improved seed is made available
for commercial planting
The buyer of this class of seed
knows what he is getting
5. The certification officials take
no responsibility for the selling of the
seed, nor the price to be pai for this
seed. They will, however, be willing
to help in any reasonable way in get
ting the seller and buyer together.
To this end a list of growers, and
the amounts and varieties they have
for sale, will be published each win
ter as soon as all stock has been Civ
en- the final inspection.
Application for certification should
be made to the State Horticulturist.
Fort Collins, Colorado, or to the Chief
Deputy State Horticulturist, Delta,
Colorado. The application must be
received and accepted before June 1,
of the year in which certificatton is
T,, tnA onod 10
planted 1t Is a good plan to make ap-
plication in time to allow an inspector
to see the seed before planting. Upon
receipt of request for certification
an application blank will be forward
ed for the applicant. to fill out. When
this blank form has been filled out.
returned and accepted, the field will
be considered registered for certifica-
ton for that season. The owner will
then be notified.
During the season of 1920, there
will be no charge for certification,
other than very small amount to
cover the cost of the certificate and
certification tags. This will be about
one to two cents per bushel.
When growing potatoes for certifi-
cation remember:
l. 1t is best to try small plot
Zone acre or less) the first year.
2. You should not be discouraged
II your seed is turned down.
8. All seed should be treated be-
fore cutting by soaking one and one
half hours in a solution made by dis
solving corrosive sublimate (mercur-
To-. c< LA ,F
four ounces of corrosive sublimate to
thirty gallons OF water. Use wood
en- container.
4. Plant later than the commercial
crop-May 10 to June 1.
J s. 1t will be to the growers ad-
vantage when planting uncertified
| seed, to have the seed examined by an
inspector before planting. a
6. Plant close together in the
rows-about two-thirds usual distance.
Z. Cultivate more-irrigate less
The seed will be more vigorous.
| 8. Dig late.
| 9. Do not bruise or cut tubers.
| 10. Let tubers cure two to three
hours in the sun before picking up.
| II. Use clean and new sacks.
| IT, Grade in the storage house.
You will do a better job. Good grad
ing is essential for certification.
Il 13. Store in a frost proof storage
cellar which has good circulation Of
air.
Il IA. Better seed and better methods
are not fads-they produce crop
/ of geater value, more economically.
4 68,to M1cnjETAO TAOTAO III r TO
i Is. Your seed will pass certifica-