The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-05-15
GROWING CERTIFIED
SEED POTATOES

Err. BENNETT, Field horticulture
The certifying of seed potatoes, o
the growing of potatoes, in name
that will meet the field requirement
for certification has become an es
tablished practice in all the northern
potato growing states.
The work is well past the expert
mental stage and the requirement!
are fairly we'll stabilized and uni
form in the various districts.
The value of certified seed is also
generally we'll recognized at least SC
far as it's effect in increasing the yield
and improving the quality OF the COIL
mercial product is concerned
Last season fewer growers in
Idaho attempted to produce potatoes
for certification than the previous
wear One hundred thirty-nine grow
ers made application for the first IN
spection; eighty for the second IN
spection and seventy-five grew pota-
toes that passed both neld lnspec-
tions.
Seed growing of all kinds is hlgh
tyne of farming 1t requires knowi-
edge, judgment and pa1nstaklng care.
The details involved In growing SEED
potatoes differ to some extent from
those for growing table stock. am
giving some suggestions and reguia-
tions that l feel are worth consldera-
ton. These recommendations are the
same as those sent out to the grow
ers last season. The results op-
tanned from following them were
gratifying, hence we recommend tnaI
the general plan be continued. we
particularly commend the use OF
large cuts and late planting as being
conductive to the production OF hlgn
grade seed.
We advise the use Of only such
stock for seed as is known to be rea-
sonably free from disease. seed tnat
ia known to be of desirable type
and high yielding strain. That All
seed be sorted to size and type. Tnat
all seed be treated ninety minutes
with the standard bichlOride OF mer-
curry treatment. That treatment pc
given at least two weeks previous 10
planting time.
The use of whole tubers for seed
where expedient. That pieces be cut
large 6 to 4 ounces) If cut seed ls
used. That the distance apart OF
planting on unirrigated land be tnlrty
inches each way or from eighteen 10
twenty-four inches in the row on IT.
rigated land. That planting be de-
layed until the latter part OF June or
early July for early potatoes ana
Idaho Rurals and not much carrier
for Melted Gems. That seed De
planted at least five inches deep on
unirrigated land and two and a halI
to three inches on irrigated lana.
That thoro and merciless rogulng De-
gin as soon as plants are up and con-
tinue thruout the season.
We require that the seed plot De at
least 100 yards from any other grow
ing POTATOES and that the potatoes
he planted on land that was not IN
notatoes for at least the two pre-
Cost of Certification
The fee for inspection is as fol-
lows: $500 for five acres or 1rac-
ton thereof, with SO cents per acre
for all additional acres. One-haii OF
total fee must accompany application,
the remainder to be paid previous 10
the second inspection. This total
fee entities the grower to two field
and final cellar inspec-
ton. Certification tags and seals Will
be charged for at the rate of 3 cents
per sack. Application for inspection
must be in the hands OF the certify
ng authority by June Is.