The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1922-05-18
NOTES TO THE
POTATO GROWER
(By Gordon G. Brown

Professor George r. Hyslop, entitled,
"Seed Potato Improvement. A brief
summary of the suggestions offered
there are given in these columns.
Those who wish a more complete de-
scription of the subject can write for
the above named circular.
The need for seed-potato improve
ment is very evident. Oregon stands
very low in point of yields. Its aver
age is only ll8 bushels to the acre as
compared with 2l0 bushels for Maine,
pioneer potato growing station.
The most potent factors which may
influence small yields are too many
varieties, unproductive hills, poor
stands and not enough plant food or
moisture. The variety question in
Hood River is pretty well standard
lied. 1t can be said, however, that
many of our best patches have alto
gether too many unproductive hills.
This is due to the planting of run-out
and diseased seed, such seed producing
plants that die early and yield poorly.
The planting of rough, pointed,
crooked or misshapen tubers or little
ones, usually mean diseased plants.
Those potatoes are often associated
with wilt and little ones are often
small because of wilt or mosaic. Use
only smooth, symmetrical, disease-free
tubers of market size. The character
of planting has something to do with
poor stands. 1t is needless to say that
faulty planting makes thin stands.
Furthermore the use of excessively
small seed pieces is bad. However,
pieces at least one and one-half to two
ounces or larger in size should be used.
The blossom-end piece of a potato
should never be split in cutting. Coat
ing the cut surfaces of the seed with
landplaster helps to prevent rotting of
seed pieces and better stands result.
As a general rule the matter of soil
fertility and moisture requirements
are adequately met under Hood River
conditions. 1t Is generally accepted
rule, that uniformity of moisture
throughout the growing season is one
of the greatest factors in promoting
seed. Where hit or miss policy is
applied and the fields are alternately
excessively wet or dry good results
cannoC be obtained.
Last week the writer dealt with the
soil fertility problem as related to this
crop and no further reference will be
made to the subject here.
The writer also urged the practical
bility of growing seed that will be of
such high character as to pass the cer-
tification test. This is setting a high
standard and is we'll worth striving
for. This calls for special care and
and growers cannot expect
to Jump into this work with 100 per
cent success the first year. Ii takes
time and study to get best results.
No one should start growing seed
potatoes without a definite idea of
staying with the game sufficiently long
to establish a reputation and improve
his stock. Only in this way can sue
cess be obtained. The following sug-
gestions are offered for the improve
ment of the seed:
First of all, sort the seed. Misshap.
en-, pointed, crooked and little potatoes
should be eliminated. Use only smooth,
symmetrical potatoes of medium size
the stem end. Needless to
say, the using of small culls sorted out
Of market potatoes is bad practice.
Ii is Furthermore suggested that a
critical examination of the stem-end of
the potato be made for any discolora-
ton. A brown fibrous discoloration
out from the base of the
stem of the potato and about one
eighth of an inch under the skin may
be the result of several causes. includ-
ing chilling and disease. Badly chilled
seed has been shown to be very low in
vitality and results in poor yields.
Potatoes thoroughly chilled in the soil
before digging, or afterward in stor-
age usually shows discoloration about |
of an inch under the skin |
and extending in thin black layers |
from the stem-end to the blossom. end |
If the tuber. "The general presence
If the black line rather than the light
sr cOlored one, principally near the |
stem-end, when accompanied by lack |
If crispness and by sweetish taste in |
he tuber," says Prof. Hyslop, ''are |
Indicative of chilling injury. Such po-
.atoes while not diseased are not good |
iced. Furthermore, potatoes discol-
DFed from wilt or other causes should |
De eliminated.
1t is highly important that seed-po-
iubOGu UC lEEdLCu Win GOIIOblNG buD-
innate to control scab. This may be
occurred at the drug store. About one
,nuce is required for each three to FIVE |
bushels Of potatoes treated. A stock /
Iolution of corrosive sublimate is pre-
Jared by dissolving it in a wooden or
,arthen container. Do not use a me-
allie contanier. A gallon of hot water
or each four ounces of corrosive sub
innate should be used. When thor
,ughly dissolved, one gallon of this
IOlution should be put into a wooden
,ontainer or barrel for each 20 gallons
Il water used. This makes a standard
strength, four ounces to 80 gallons.
The clean, cut potatoes are now treated
oose in this solution for one and one
lalf to two hours unless the sprouts
lave started, in which case treatment
houId not extend over one hour. Af-
er each treatment, one pint of the
tock solution should be added to the
)arrel for each bushels Of potatoes
reated two hours. This is for the pur-
Dose of keeping the strength undiluted.
Freshly cut seed while still wet
hould be shoveled over with land |
,laster as this coats or harden the cut
urface. Owing to the fact that dis
,ase remains in the soil il is recon-
nended that planting be done on new
and in rotation.
1t has been demonstrated that the
,lossom-end Of the potato is the best
eed piece. Do not split the blossom
nd in cutting seed-potatOes as this
mpairs the vigor OF potato seed pieces.
{ should not be cut fewer than two
yes; more are better. The pieces
bould weigh not under one and one
alf to two ounces. Be thorough in
,lsnting. Use only a machine that
gIll plant the pieces regularly. See
hat il plants one piece in every hil
nd only one piece in every hill, other
rise plant by hand.
Ii