Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-28
STATE HOUSE

The State Department Of Agricul-
ture is preparing to meet unusual
| conditions in the work Of its bureau
| of seed improvement. The business
OF producing certified seed potato
stock which was for many years
looked upon with Indifference by
Maine potato growers has achieved
a sudden and almost overwhelming
popularity.
Both Commissioner OF Agriculture
Frank P. Washburn and Erlon L.
Newdick. the chief Of the seed divi-
sion are beginning to realize that the
energies of the seed improvement
bureau will be taxed to the utmost
during the coming season. if all those
who desire assistance from the
State in this line Of work are to be
accommodated.
| Inquiry into the work of the seed
| Improvement bureau reveals the fact
I that in 1920, 577 acres were inspect
ed by Mr.. Newdick and his assistants,
and 462 acres passed as eligible for
sale for certified stock. In 1921
the figures were up to 1886 acres in
spected and 633 passed. Now
comes the surprising informa-
ton that while the season for appli-
cations is as yet only we'll under way,
! the acreage for which inspection is
asked for in 1922 is already more
| than 1900, indicating that before
June there will be calls made upon
| the bureau to inspect more than 5000
| acres Of potatoes located in so diff
| ferent towns and 10 counties Of the
| State.
This increased interest manifest
| ed by farmers in the growing Of GER
| titled seed potatoes is no doubt due
| in part to the very satisfactory re-
| turns received for such stock even
under the conditions prevailing in the
potato market during the past two
years. The price for certified seed
averages this year about 81 per bar
rel, f. 0. b. There is also a growing
| feeling that the seed potato business
| is one branch of Maine agriculture
which can be readily and profitably
| developed, and that while the market
for table stock is frequently over
| supplied, there will always be a de-
nland for first class seed.
1T is very gratifying to find so few
complaints as to the quality of seed
we have sent out" said Mr. Newdick
| today.
1--WE have really had only one or
! two serious complaints which is re-
| markable in a season when we would
naturally look for dissatisfaction and
| even reflections because Of the rapid
| ~ declining market on potatoes in
| general" he continued.
"One of our chief difficulties is
| found in the fact that there is appar-
entity no way of preventing the coun-
terfeiting of our tags and markers
The term Certified Seed or Cert
fed Seed Grown in Maine may be
used by anyone and applied to any
kind Of potatoes. This practice has
already had a tendency to injure our
market, and those who are seeking a,
reliable product are being warned
to accept only potatoes carrying the
blue tag bearing the title Maine De-
partment of Agriculture with the
name Of the commissioner and my
self
$50 many applications have been
received for inspection and Certifica-
ton in 1922 and SO many more are
likely to come, that greatly as we re-
greet it, we are nevertheless confront
cd with the necessity of refusing all
requests received after certain date.
With the means at our disposal and
the force Of inspectors available, it
is not conceivable that we can cover
more than 1000 acres and give them
the attention (which is necessary in |
order to maintain the standard of our
product. 1t may be interest |
ing to note \ that Maine certi- |
fed potato seed is being planted |
this season in the following /
states: New Jersey, Connecticut, New
York, Rhode Island, Virginia, Mary |
land, MASSACHUSETTS,, Georgia, New
Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North |
Carolina and the District Of Column
bia."