Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1921-04-27

w - DNSNitohs SOuHty IASCHtJ
Shall the Nevada potato industry
survive disease and poor marketing
The answer is the eradication OF
potato diseases and in bringing up our
marketing methods on par with those
OF the states surrounding us. Yearly
we are growing more and more discas-
ed potatoes. Now is the time to call
q halt or Nevada will lose the reputa-
tion Of producing superior potatoes
and our market will be gone for good.
Last year Nevada produced over
100000 bushels Of spuds. Is such an
industry worthy of preserving? The
answer is obviously in the affirmative
and especially since Nevada can pro-
duce potatoes in quality second to
none. Nevada potatoes have been ship
ped to San Francisco, resacked there
and sold for Salinas potatoes; they
are superior to the famed Idaho po-
tatoes and Idaho potatoes take the
lead i'll Western markets. Why?
Not because they can grow any bet
ter potatoes than we can; but because
Idaho growers are united in eliminat-
ing diseases; classify and grade thier
potatoes. Buyers of Idaho potatoes
know exactly what they are getting
in kind, quality and freedom from dig
sease.
Our first problem is to control and
diminish disease in the crop. We have
four leading diseases, namely common
scab, rhizctonia, fusarium wilt and the
eel worm. There is but one way to
control disease and that is to plant
disease free seed in disease free soil,
in spite of all arguments to the contrary.
Some Italian renters in the Mason
Valley claim they can plant seed in-
tested with the eel worm in clean
soil aud their crop will be free from
disease. This may bc true to Some
extent for the first crop; but let
them continue raising potatoes on the
same ground the next year and for
several years and their entire crop will
be diseased. By planting seed infest-
ed with eel worm clean soil is infect
ed. Many of the larger ranchcrs in
the Mason Valley rent their land on
share basis. The renter puts in the
crop and the owner takes. say one
third of the crop, for his share. The
renter often takes new piece OF soil.
buys the cheapest seed he can tInd
and puts in the crop. Cheap seed IS
usually diseased but the renter does
not .care If he is spelling some tine
potato ground by planting seed infested
with the eel worm for he can raise
a crop or two and then move to
another's ranch where the ground is
clean. Greater care should be eNcr-
cised in renting and the owner should
insist that clean seed should be planted.
Ten years ago there was scarcely
any fusarium wilt III the state Now
il is becoming one OF our worst
enemies causing increasing losses year
ly and spreading over larger area
The eel worm is similarly spreading
Some say irrigation water may not
spread the infection That may be
50 to some extent; but the dominant
cause is the grower who plants inject
ed seed. thus annually enlarging the
area of infection.
Now many Nevada farmers do not
recognize the value OF planting clear
seed. This ycar20 carloads OF OregV
seed potatoes were shipped into the
Mason Valley. Why shipped into
this state? Because no good, disease
free seed is to be had in Nevada and
they were forced to go outside OF
the state for it. Something like SAo,-
600 could have been spent at home III
the Mason Valley if some one had
grown certified seed. Every year
we import many carloads OF certified
seed from outside the state. Every
wear many of our growers plant any
thing that is left over for seed when
thev should either grow their owl
seed for that purpose or buy certified
seed.
The requirments are clean soil, Ger,
titled seed to start with, and specia
attention to the cultivation and stor-
AGE of the crop. Seed potatoes should
be planted later than those grown
for market, about the middle OF june
to July first. Late planting causes
an increase in the number of potatoe:
pcr hill. What is desired is large
number two to three ounce potatoes
in each hill. Late planting also de-
lays the maturity of the potato. which
makes more desirable seed.
Good seed may be desired as thai