The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-26
Results OF Improved Poato Seed
Campaign

my Nouuty agent TX. Is. Dodge,
Penobscot)
The importance of good seed is
borne out by potato cost accounts
conducted in Maine, outside Of Aroos-
took last year which She the
average production on ~ .rrs to
be 81 barrels per acre, willie { p. :er-
age production on the Is Improved
potato seed plots in Penobscot coun-
ty showed an average yield of IS
barrels per acre.
Because of the Importance of good
seed to the potato grower definite
program for increasing the quality
of good potatoes hsed In Maine has
been drawn up by the extension de-
partment. There are eight points
that should be considered by any man
who wants to Come in on the i'm
proved seed game. They are:
l. The seed started with should
be of known purity. Seed should be,
treated with corrosive sublmate. 3.
Potatoes located at least 200 feet from
others, and as much farther as pos
sible. 4. The field should not have
been planted to potatoes for two
years, and sod ground should be given
the preference. 5. Spraying should
be done thoroughly with properly
mixed Bordeaux. 6. Rogueing,
which calls for at least two thorough
inspections OF the potato fields and
the removal of all weak and diseased
hills. 7. Hill selection which may
help develop a. uniform type. 6. The
OF nf "a fln 10 INN NJ mt
enough seed should be produced to
plant with that variety the entire acre
age desired.
Observance of these eight points is
requested or the men conducting good
seed plots. The county agents of
the various counties are glad to CO.
operate with one or two of the potato
growers in each of the potato towns
to assist in rogueing and general
supervision of the work. Other men
who are interested should follow this
plan and attend rogueing demonstra-
tons in their towns and there is no
reason why they cannot become ac-
quainted with the diseases and do
the rogueng on their own farms.
In Penobscot county last year 16
men started seed plots. with the
Prince Edward Island strain of Green
Mountains, on total of 11.5 acres.
These 16 plots produced 1921 bar
rels, or SS barrels per acre. This
Is 81 barrels more per acre than the
average of the az farms previously
mentioned.
We cannot guarantee that the i'm
proved potato seed plot method will
be able to hold the percentage of
disease at one or two percent inde-
finitely, but it will enable us to &e
tain the quality of our seed much
longer than under the old haphazard
method. Our next step is to get this
seed OF high qualify into general dis
tribution and much help can be rem
dered by public spirited growers. We
have two men.in this county who have
already agreed to put out improved
potato seed stock in neighboring
towns on a fall payment plan. Sew
eral other men prompted by the same
motive sold from their fields prac-
tically their entire crop last year at
81 a bushel, field run.
In all probability 1923 will see
enough of this improved seed pro-
duced in Penobscot county. to furnish
seed for its entire acreage of pota-
toes in the county in 1924. This is
something that has. never happened
before, and Is a good testimonial of
the interest which Penobscot county
farmers have in good seed.