Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-17
Potato Seed Treatment
Demonstrates Completed
In Somerset County


In Somerset County
During the first two weeks in May
the Extension Service has been con-
Quoting potato seed treatment
demonstrations to prove the value
of treating seed. These have been
held at the following farms:
r. b. Chadbourne. Harmony; AL
bert Yeaton, Mercer: Geo. Cooper,
North Anson; Hurley Hetherington.
I1arone: George Foster. Cornville;
Bliss Shaw. A. A. Cheviot, and H. c..
Aibee, NorridEewock; Elmer Baird.
Hartland: 2. M. RAYMOND, Ripley;
o. r. Merchant, Palmyra: Thurston
Hutchins, East New Portland. Be
sside these number of others are
treating seed and carrying a check
plot.
Over seventy acres are listed az
present for treatment. The following
extract taken from Circular Sc. is
sued by University Of Maine, College
OF Agriculture gives an idea Of the
work and its value.
The potato grower II, forced by
circumstances to adopt several diff
ferent methods In combating dis
eases. Certain potato diseases can
be controlled by spraying, others
must be rogued from the growing
field and still others. in part at least,
may be checked by rigid seed selec-
ton but scab, rhizoctonia also known
as black scurf and in a limited way
hlaekleg, requires an entirely differ
ent treatment. Although blackleg
Infection assumes serious proportions
In certain seasons. and scab Is an
important pest in certain areas.
rhizoctonia is widespread and more
detrimental to maximum potato
yields than Ia generally recognized.
Effect on Yield
The most serious effect on yield
Is due to the attack on young
sprouts. Often weak hills are noted
in the field and on digging up the
plant and seed piece 1t is found that
the original sprout or sprouts have
been killed short distance from
the seed piece and that two to sew
eral new sprouts have formed. These
sprouts are weak, apt also to be in
fected though to a less degree (as
indicated by brown streaks along the
stem) and capable of pushing above
ground to develop later inter infer
Tor plants of low producing ability.
Later in the season the fungus
may attack the tuber bearing under
ground stems, cut them, off and
cause the development of a large
number of small tubers close to the
main stalk, or even tuber- like out
growths above ground.
The purpose in treating seed Is to
rid the tubers of the fungus before
planting. On the tuber, rhizoctonia,
as the term black scurf would indi-
cate. resembles dark brownish or
blackish masses, not unlike small
particles of soil. 1t is superficial and
can be scraped off. These masses
represent the resting stage of the
fungus and are direct means Of
transmission to the following crop.
Both corrosive sublimate and for
means of control but the former ha $
given by far the best results and is
preferably recommended.
Value Of Treating Seed
Potato seed treating demonstra-
tions were conducted in Penobscot
and Piscataquis counties in 1922 and
In Penobscot, Piscataquis and Som
erset counties in 1923. Briefly the
plan was to plant a part of the field
with treated seed. and the remainder
with untreated seed. The two areas
were similar as to soil and were
handled alike except for seed treat
ing. In 1922 the 222 acres trea ted
yielded on the average IS bushels
per acre more than the 1875 acres I'M
treated; in 1923 the 25 acres treated
yielded on the average 30 bushels
more per acre than the So acrI5 tn
treated.
The cost of treating was $3.50 per
acre or approximately nine cents
for each bushel increase in 1923 and
Hx-@ nj .try,f he Co 81,
bushel increase in 1922. The value of
the increased yield over the cost of
treating was practically $4,000 per
acre in 1923 and $1,000 per acre in
1929.
The fact that there was a greater
increase in 1929 was due i'm part to
the more favorable growing season
in 1928, and in part to the fact that
sumo Gf the demonstrated IN 1928
used seed that was grown from stock
treated in 1929.
Extension Service receives a notice
in regards to Application for Potato
Seed Inspection Due Before June Is.
Notice comes from the State De-
partment that MI those who plan to
apply for potato seed inspection must
do so before June 10. 1t is estimated
that over 10000 acres will be entered
for eertification. THE acreage will
not matter however; the main points
are: First. that so or 55 per cent of
the amount entered will not pass field
inspection, per cent passing field
inspection will he rejected due to type
and IL to II per cent for grading
Some of last years certified stock
win not pass this year. Fields To-
Gated other plots not eligible for GER
tification will be turned down.
Nearer than $50 feet will not be con-
sidered.