The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-06-14

County Agt. r. B. Dodge, Penobscot)
The Importance of good seed Is
borne out by potato cost accounts con-
dacted In Maine, outside OF Aroos-
TOOK last year which showed the
average production on 20 farms TO be
81 barrels per acre, while the aver.
age production on the 16 improved
potato seed plots In Penobscot county
showed an average yield of So bushels
per acre.
Because of the Importance OF good
seed to the potato grower a definite
program for increasing the quality Of
seed potatoes used in Maine has been
drawn up by the extension depart
ment.
There are eight points that should
be considered by any man who wants
to come in on the improved seed
game. They are:
1. The seed started with should
be of known purity; 2, seed should
be treated with corrosive sublimate;
3, potatoes located at least 200 feet
from any others, and as much farth-
er as possible; 4. the field should not
have been planted to potatoes for
two years, and sod ground should be
given the preference; s, spraying
should be done thoroughly with pro-
perly mixed Boreadux; 6, rogueing,
which calls for at last two thorough
inspections of the potato fields and
the removal of all weak and diseased
hills; Z, hill selection, which may help
develop a uniform type; 8, the size
OF the seed plot is important as
enough seed should be produced to
plant with that variety the entire
acreage desired.
Observance of these eight points Is
requested of the men conducting good
seed plots. The county agents in
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 regueing and general su-
pervision of the work.
Other men who are interested
should follow this plan and attend
rogueing demonstrations in their
towns and there is no reason why
they cannot become acquainted with
the diseases and do the rogueing on
their own farms.
In Penobscot county last year 16
men started seed plots, with the
Prince Edward Island strain of Green
Mountains, on a total of Ills acres.
These 16 plots produced 1921 barrels,
or SO barrels per acre. This is "a
barrels more per acre than the aver
age of the AZ farms previously men
toned.
We cannot guarantee that the i'm
proved potato seed plot methed will
be able to hold the percentage of
disease at one or two per cent indef-
nitely, but it will enable US to re-
tain the quality of our seed much
longer than under the old haphazard
method.
Our next step Is to get this seed of
high quality into general distribution
and much help can be rendered by
public spirited growers. We have
two men in this county who have al
ready agreed to put out improved po-
tato seed stock in neighboring towns
on a fall payment plan. Several
other men prompted by the same mo-
tive sold from their fields practically
their entire crop last year at 81 a
bushel, field run.
In all probability 1928 will see
enough Of this improved seed produc-
ed in Penobscot county to furnish seed
FOR its entire acreage of potatoes In
the county in 1924. This is some
thing that has never happened be-
fore, and is q good testimonial of the
interest which Penobscot county far
mers have In good seed.