Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-15
STATE HOUSE
M. Meeting II oev.rnor and Council AM- Tuesday,

, together II would be easy to deter
mine the exact percentage of this
disease present By this means GER
/ tain advice can be given the grow
er as to whether he better attempt
to rogue his spindle tuber or wheth-
err or not he must seek another
strain.
Another problem confronting the
grower is the serious mixture in the
Spaulding Rose which can be elimi-
mated by the tuber unit method. Our
Spauldings today are quite badly
mixed with Northern Reds and other
potatoes of this similar type and the
growers who have practiced tuber
unit work have had the greatest
success at eliminating mixtures. The
survey of the tuber unit plot would
give an accurate check on the COM
mercial field and the grower would
Immediately determine the percent
age of Blackleg, Leaf-roll, or what
yer disease might be present in his
crop. 1t seems to the writer that
with the information at hand, the
tuber unit method is by far the best
method to study the potatoe situa-
ton as 1t exists today.
ct is not unreasonable to suppose
that q recommendation might be
made that all growers applying for
certification might be required to
to have a small plot planted tuber
unit method. The time may not be
ripe for this but it is bound to come
within one or two years. If such a
plot could be isolated from the
commercial field 1t would have this
advantage. In case it was found to
be exceptionally free from disease
1t could be rogued several times
during the early season and all dam
ger of contamination removed. The
resulting progeny would be some
thing very good for the following
seasons planting.
while this article is directed
mainly towards those that are grow
ing certified seed 1T would be a good
thing for every farmer in the State
of Maine to have fair sample OF
his crop grown by this method be-
cause he then could see with his own
eyes the percentage of disease pres
ent compared with the strong Wig
orous type so necessary to give the
best results.
There is no argument about the
value of planting the very best seed
one could obtain. The past seasons
yields on farms on the same road
ranged all the way from 65 to las
barrels per acre and the big factor
was seed. The farmers of Maine
know more about diseases in seed
potatoes today than they ever did
before and an honest effort is being
made to raise and put on the market
the best they can obtain.
Ten dollars per barrel has already
been paid for Bliss to he planted in
Maine this year. AS high as $500
has been paid for choice Spaulding
Rose. This by our own growers who
want the very best. With these con-
ditions in mind the Division of Plant
Industry makes the above recon-
mendatiOns in the hope that it will
at least be discussed and argued with
those most interested in the work
as to its advantages and disa;yan-
tages.
1.-THE certified seed acreage for
1928 was somewhat greater than that
of previous years although small
when compared with the total
acreage of the state. Only 622S acres
passed and was offered for sale but
this Is a factor and it is hoped that
next season many more farmers will
be eligible to ship under the blue
tag.
THE certified Spaulding Rose arr
practically all sold also tho Irish
Cobblers. except for n few cars. Ito
Mountain market is weaker and, -he
demand not so heavy. but 1t is be-
lieved that this condition is largely
brought about because we have not
advertised or canvassed Thoroughly
those states which use Maine Noun
tains for seed.
1.-THE Department of Agriculture
believes that the grower who mas
tuber unit seed plot has much bet
ter prospect of maintaining his stock
nearer disease free than by any 9TH
er method now known