The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-11-17
Near Approach of Two Potato
Shows Make Subject of
Importance.
TWO SHOWS ARE COMING
Size, Uniformity. Freedom From Dis
ease, and Form Essential Factors
in Exhibits.
BY E. G. WOOD,
Extension Horticultural Specialist.

Potato growers are selecting exhib-
it's for two important shows, the Pa
cific Northwest Potato show to be
held December IA. Is and 16 at Spo-
kane, and the Yakima County Corn
and Potato show. also held in Decem-
Der. Prizes are offered for two classes
of exhibits; seed potatoes and COM
mercial potatoes
A knowledge of how to select pota-
toes for these two classes will assist
the person desiring to exhibit. Four
| of the main points to consider in en-
tering potatoes in the show ring, are:
size, uniformity, condition and dis
ease.
Size of Potatoes.
Commercial potatoes-The minimum
size for commercial potatoes for show
purposes is six ounces while the max
imum size is not set However, judges
always score down on extremely large
potatoes. The ideal size for CONNER
cial stock is eight to twelve ounces.
Seed potatoes-The size limits for
seed potatoes are two to twelve
ounces The ideal size for high score
is six to eight ounces.
Uniformity Of Exhibits.
Uniformity of the potatoes in each
entry is one of the most important
points to consider. They should be
uniform in size, shape and appear
ance Each potato should be as near
ly like each other potato in the lot as
possible. 1t may even pay to weigh
each potato to make sure that it does
not vary noticeably from the others in
the lot TO get an ideally uniform ex-
hibit of commercial potatoes, one
might select a ten ounce potato for
example. and see that all the other po-
tatoes are within a half ounce Of that
size. Better have them all 8 ounces
than to have some s and some ten
ounces. When other things are nearly
equal the judge usually gives the
prize to the most uniform lot.
Condition and Freedom From
Disease.
I
mature but seed potatoes may be some
what immature. They should be free
from cuts, bruises or blemishes of any
kind and be clean and bright. Any po-
tatoes showign evidence of any disease
should be discarded. Look carefully
for sclerotia-the reproductive bodies
of the Rhizoctonia disease. They are
| hot ri hot
| will not rub off.
In form the tubers should be typical
of the variety. Any tendency toward
pointed ends, second growth, growth
cracks or other deformity should be
carefully avoided The typical shape
for some of the most important varie-
ties is as follows:
Burbank-Long cylindrical or slight
ly fiattened; eyes numerous and well
distributed. rather shallow; skin near
ly smooth, white The White Beauty
and Pride of Multnomah are very sim
liar to Burbank, American Wonder has
fewer eyes.
Melted Gem Tubers have russell
skin, heavily Melted. In other respects
they are very similar to Burbank.
Irish Cobbler - Tubers quite broad
shortened oblong, thick, eyes few, shall
low, skin smooth, white. Practically
identical with Early Eureka.
Early Ohio-Round oblong; eyes nu-
merous, rather shallow, brown rather
prominent skin light pink.
Idaho Rural - Tubers oblOng oval,
very smooth, eyes few, shallow, skin
white, netted Same as Charles Down
ing and similar to Rural New Yorker
No. 2.
Carman Tubers oblong fiattened,
smooth, eyes few, skin flesh colored,
flesh white.
The Toppenish sugar beet factory is