Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-02-03
TREASURE STATE FARM AND LIVESTOCK
Quality Production AS
Goal of Potato Growers

half cent per pound for each score point
of butter from SO to 90 score and one
cent premium for SO over 80. Under this
plan of selling butter on grade. the mem
Der creameries started cream grading and
the payment Of a higher price for sweet
than for sour cream. The premium was
commonly three cents per pound of t
ter fat. Thus the cooperative organi-
zation had definitely put into practice
the principles of grading cream and but
ter and paying for both on the quality
basis.
THE extent of the influence of this
program of cooperative work for setting
right standards, for stimulating produc-
ton by making the incentive right, and
for merchandising the resulting COM
modities. is suggested by the figures on
quality. Before organizing. less than 20
per cent Of the annual make OF butter
was 90 score while the output Of 1925
was asa per cent SO score and for 8
the figure was SO. ii per cent. This rep
resents a very rapid rise in volume OF
quality, thus attesting h effectiveness
of cooperative teamwork by farmer. fac
tory and sales system"
Demonstrations have played an i'm
portant role IL bringing Montana's po-
tatoes to the attention OF outside buyers.
Quantities Of seed stock have been as
sembled each ear since 1928 for field
tests in other states and within the state.
For some reason southern growers have
formed a prejudice against seed potatoes
produced under irrigation. BY conduct
ing field demonstrations 1T has been ef-
fectively demonstrated to southern grow
ers that there is very little difference be-
tween yields from irrigated and non-ir-
rigated seed. Thus the market has been
expended.
Again, demonstrations have served as
comparative tests in which Montana seed
always has led in quality and production
over seed from other states.
Check seed plots in Montana have been
of value in developing high producing
strains and eliminating the inferior ones.
Five per cent of mosaic in the northern
seed plot usually means from Is to 80
per cent of the disease when the seed
is planted in the south. Since masked mo-
safe may be identified for only a short
time during the growing season 1t often
would be missed by official inspectors.
Check test plots at the experiment sta
ton which are undo constant observa-
ton remedy this condition.
1t is apparent that demonstrations and
investigational work must be continued.
AS Montana must maintain a high quail
ity standard, SO Montana also must re-
main III JDe lOTelEOul III QlSedSS COn-
troll work, storing and handling.
District and state seed shows are VAL
liable supplements in maintaining high
standards in certified seed production.
Out-of-state contacts at seed shows and
potato improvement meetings have an
important relationship in the develop
ment of this industry, as in any other
new industry. Such contacts have been
made by representatives OF the college
and the potato growers association and
have been most valuable to the members
OF this organization.
The seed potato industry has gradually
expanded from a few acres in 1921 to
more than 100 acres that passed inspec-
ton in 1927. Until the summer of 1926
Prof. Harrington handled the field in
spections in addition to supervising the
field demonstrations both within the
state and In other states. Each year the
work has increased. In July, 1926, a
horticulturist was added to the extension
staff to relieve the horticultural depart
ment OF some of the field duties con-
nected with certifcation. During the
past year 1T was necessary to bring in an
outside man to assist with field inspec-
tons, this inspector being financed en-
tirely from potato growers funds.
So it would seem from the increased
volume Of business that may be inspect
ed in this industry from now on, that
volume OF business that may be expect
ton service must be placed ON a self
sustaining basis. as is the case with reg
istered grain inspection work in the
state. Judging from the field require
ments this past year 1t will require two
and possibly three inspectors for a period
Of go days or more. The extension serv-
ice Of the State college will assist in
every way possible for the further de-
uo1onynnnf ~ n rn<nvn thn% xut1l -1nln+4t~
quality production Of certified seed po-
tatoes. II Montana Is to continue her
supremacy In this new industry, the slo-
gan "The West Must Grow the Best
must be practiced.
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