The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1923-02-15
POTATO SEED FOR GARRETT

y u i y 'OL.LLD VA G-ANNE1I
County Agent Jester Asserts that the
Average Yield Could be Doubled
County Agent W. C. Jester has
Giyen the following statement to The
Republican for publication:
''Tho average yield per acre Of
potatoes in Garrett county is not
more than half what might rcasona-
bly, be expected. This shortage is
attributed to different causes, includ-
ing numerous diseases, q lack Of we'll
adapted varieties and the planting Of
seed of impre strains. 1t is pood econ
omy to use anything but good seed.
inferior seed does not often improve
in type; it simply continues to de-
tcEiorate as the weak characters Of
the plant get a chance to show I'D.
The result is an uncertain crop, low
quality Of product and added expense
Of production. The seed should be Of
some known variety and free from
mixtures. Mixed seed do not germ
mate and mature evenly, consequent
" the yields are low ard crop does
not appear uniform or attractive.
Uniformity Of size and shape of tu-
Der also play big part in obtain
ing better prices.
The varieties recommended for
Garrett county are, for early va
rietics, the Irish Cobbler and Early
Ohio, for late and main crops, either
the Rural or the Green Mountain
Group. The Rural Group includes
the Burial New Yorker, Carmen No.
8, Ptosley, Dibble's Russell and Sir
Walter Raleigh. The Green Noun
tain Group includes the Gold Coin,
Green Mountain and other well
known varieties.
Cutting the seed piece-The ideal
size for a seed piece is approximately
1.5 ounces, or the size of an egg. As
the piece increases in size to GER
tain point the yield increases but
here we must distinguish a difference
between yield and cost of yield. A
small seed piece gives a bad start to
the sprout. No difference how large
a number Of eyes we have to piece,
there will be no more sprouts than
if we have two or three eyes. The
eye nearest the cut grows quicker.
Treatment of Seed for Scab-
There are two reasons for treating
seed in this county, for scab and for
rhizoctonia. For scab, the use of one
pint Of formalin to thirty gallons of
water and treated for thirty minutes
is very efficient, but this treatment
affects scab only, whereas, if mer-
curic chloride, (bichloride of mer-
cury) is used the scab and rhizoc-
tonia are both effected. With this
treatment four ounces Of the mercur-
ic chloride is mixed in a small amount
Of hot water which is then added to
thirty gallons. In this case if many |
treatments are made from the one !
solution it is advisable to add one
ounce Of mercuric chloride to the !
solution every time q treatment is
made. The seed are left in the So
luton for one hour and half. This
solution is deadly poison.
Treatment Of seed is recommended |
in all cases when possible. 1t may
be that either of these diseases did
not show up last year or ever before,
but that does not say they are not IL |
able to appear in the future. An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure.
"Seed Observation-Disclosures are
certified in order to secure pure va
rieties free from disease, by an Of
ficially appointed inspector. This !
works to the benefit Of both producer
and purchaser, for the producer is |
able to secure a ready sale at an ade-
quate price for his high grade crop.
while the purchaser is assured of an
opportunity to procure healthy, pure