The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-04-10

the presence of certain diseases, ant
planting conditions in the test plots
are such as to bring out what nigh
otherwise be obscured. This seet
sample must be sent to Bozeman mo-
later than May Is.
Potato fields which are to be Ger.
titled must not be next to or neal
other potato fields. Any other pc.
tato field must be at least 200 feet
from the certified field. 1t is also
recommended that the ground used
for the certified field shall not have
been planted to potatoes for several
seasons preceding. Ground on which
alfalfa or clover has been grown is
recommended.
In order that the potato improve
ment work may take place most ra.
pidly growers are urged to have g
special seed plot, planted, if possible
according to the ~tuber-unit plan
which will be given extra attention
with respect to rogueing. The pur-
pose of this seed plot is to furnish
seed for the main certified seed field
for the coming year.
Before potatoes are planted, al.
seed must be treated with a solution
of corrosive sublimate (%merchuric
bichloride) to prevent scab and rhi-
z%octonia. The solution is made by
d%issolving four ounces of corrosive
sublimate in a little hot water in a
50-gallon barrel. After the material
is thoroughly dissolved, enough water
is added to bring the quantity up to
80 gallons. Potatoes are placed in
this solution for one hour either
loosely or in sacks. Since the soIu-
ton is gradually weakened, one-
fourth to two-fifths of an ounce of
dissolved corrosive sublimate should
be added after every six bushels
treated and the volume should be
kept at 80 gallons. After so bu-
shells have been treated an entirely
new solution should be prepared. If
potatoes are very dirty they should
either be cleaned before treating or
solution renewed more frequently.
In the corrosive sublimate treat
ment the potatoes should be treated
whole. The caution is given that
corrosive sublimate is a deadly poison
if taken internally and treated tubers
should not be used for any food pur-
poses. However, the material is not
injurious to the skin. Only wooden
or earthenware containers should be
used as it corrodes metals. Treated
potatoes should be placed in clean
sacks, as dirty sacks may r~e-infect
the potatoes.
For c~ertification, at least two field
inspections will be made by inspect
ors of the Montana Potato Improve
ment Association, and a third will be
made in most sections. Where only
two field inspections are made the
first inspection must show not more
than two per cent of variety mix
lures in the field, not more than five
per cent of the plants must be in
fected with the following diseases:
mosaic, spindle tuber, curly dwarf,
leafroll, giant hills or streak; two per
cent blackleg, three per cent wilt
disease, five per cent rhizoctonia and
five per cent weak plants. Where
three inspections are made the above
applies to the first two inspections.
When the last field inspection is
made there must not be over one-half
per cent of variety mixtures; not
more than five per cent of mosaic,
tuber, curly dwarf, giant
hills, leafroll and streak, and not
more than two per cent of wilt, one
half of n per cent of blackleg or
five per cent of rhizoctonia.
The presence of potato wart, po-
tato eelworm or tuber worm is suf-
to disqualify the field.
In addition to field inspections,
bin or shipping point inspections will
be made where possible. Such in
spections will be handled generally
by the field inspectors of the ~associa-
ton, shipping point inspectors or
agents. Where potatoes are
going out of the state, shipping point
Inspections will generally be made.
To pass shipping point inspections,
potatoes must meet all the require
ments of U. S. No. 1 standard grade
with the following exceptions: Pota-