Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-20
Rotation Kills Diseases,

A1AA
Many of the potato diseases ap-
parently live I'VE in the soil from year
to year, and naturally accumulate if
potatoes are grown continuously on
the same land. One Of the most es-
sential factors in controlling potato
diseases is to rotate the crop. In fact,
seed potatoes should not be grown on
land that has grown potatoes for four
of five years previous, which will in
sure the soil being FREQ from all pre-
vious infection. Then if seed properly
being diseased, is planted in this clean
land. reasonably disease free potatoes
should be expected,
1t has been found by many who
have taken sufficient interest in the
subject to make close observation,
that the growing of clover. alfalfa,
sweet clover, or other ~leguminous
crops. are very beneficial to the sue
ceeding potato crop. 1t is being found
that sweet clover is one Of the very
best crops to use in rotation for this
purpose, although it is probable that
sweet clover has no advantage over
alfalfa, except that the less is less OK
pensive and it is a little Bit more easily
started, and is only a biennial. The
deep growing. large roots Of the sweet
clover losen up the soil perhaps better
than any other crop that can be
grown, and caves the soil in just the
proper condition for potatoes. er
On the 1. H. C. Demonstration Farm
this fall, we had a 40 acre field that
will newt ear come around in the
regular rotation for a cultivated crop.
This field in 1917 was in corn, and
in 1913 in small grain and to
sweet clover. The sweet slower was
pastured last year, and ten to twelve
loads Of manure spread per acre and
plowed eight inches. We hope there
are many potato fields in as good
condition., and as we'll prepared for
this years potato planting. as this one,
but are afraid there are many that are
not, and as a result the yields will
undoubtedly be below what they
should be.
AS indicated by Mr.. s~chroeder's
but that it is profitable to put the
land in such shape before planting it
to potatoes.
Treat Seed Before Planting.
We give the following practical ex-
periences to show the benefits from
treating the seed before planting, and
making special seed selection.
The potatoes we planted in our
trial plot were hand picked as to size
and shape, and were treated with a
corrosive sublimate, the same as the
rest Of the potatoes. They were not
examined for semend rot. otherwise
they were planted in the same Kind
Of ground with 10 more fertility, and
not cultivated any more than the
iield. The results were: Selected
Seed yielded 1873 bushels per acre,
while the bin run seed. yielded only rs
bushels per acre. Oh. F. Hendrlck-
son. Ulen. MIMI"
I'm making a few remarks regard
ing the potato seed plot demonstration
work carried on in the county for the
past two years. / will say it has proven
to me to be Of great value to the pO-
tato growers. My experience in 1915
with seed raised from my 1914 plot
was an increase of about IS per cent
IN Yield over seed raised from the rest
If the field,or check plot. Besides
they were more uniform and better
quality. 60. J. Grover, Glyndon,
MIMI"
Last year I selected and treated
seed to plant five acres of potatoes.
1 found this five acres to pay SO well
that 1 am going to select and treat
enough for fifty acres this coming
year. The actual cost in both time and
material used is so small that I can
lot AFFORD not TO 90 IL. Sixty acres
Of selected seed will pay better than
ninety acres Of common, untreated
stock. (van M. Storm, Baker,
MIMI"
THE question of selecting and treat.
ing seed potatoes is a very important
one. Ins1s15 1 planted 3.44 acres with
selected and treated seed in the same
field as the rest Of my potatoes. The
yield on the plot was 244 bushels per
acre ct large, smooth, uniform po-
tatoes, while the field yielded but 200
bushels per acre, and was planted with
binrun, untreated seed. Besides they
are worth from IS to SO cents per
bushel over the market price. The
vines are very much healthier and
more Vigorous looking in sumIper. 1
Know It TO be q paying proposition to
select ana treat seed potatoes. W.. A.
Berg, Evansville. Minn.)"
IT covered ten acres Of my 1915
potato ground with barnyard manure.
in: the fall Of 1914, at a cost OF $1,000
per acre. The difference in the vines
very noticeable all summer; those
on the MANFRED ground being much
more he&itiy Ana ttg0fedA. Tn the