The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1931-04-03
STATE COLLEGE
WEEKLY LETTER
Alfalfa Information

ties to seed, the proper cultural
practices, harvesting, inspection
and marketing are a few of the
points emphasized in a new alfal-
ia bulletin now being distributed
to county agents for the use of
stockmen and farmers.
Climatic conditions and the re-
suits obtained in quality seed in
the state is directing more atten-
ton to its production. The United
States now produces about As mil
lion pounds of seed annually, ac-
cording to the bulletin. About one
third of this amount is of the har-
dy kind suitable for planting in
the northern states where high
! yields and hardness are essential.
The bulletin calls attention to
the gratifying satisfaction that has
resulted from the use of Montana
seed in northern and eastern
states. Even under present condi-
tions Montana easily could place
more seed in this area and from
all indications there is every reas-
on to expect an increased acreage
there. Farmers in that section are
now looking with increased favor
upon alfalfa hay with its high
feeding value, high yields, easy
curing and long life.
Waldo Kidder, extension agron-
omist at Montana State college
and county agents Ralph Mercer
of Forsyth and G. E. Lewis of Ter
ry prepared the material in this
bulletin. 1t was prepared with the
idea of furnishing a handbook of
complete information covering all
the stages of production from Sc
lection of seed to marketing.
Good Seed Potatoes
Careful picking of seed potatoes
from the crop cannot be overem-
phasized, cautions F. M. Harring-
ton, head of the horticulture de-
partment at Montana State col
lege.
The general practice at harvest
time is to pick out the best po-
tatoes for sale on the market and
to save small, withered and mis-
shaped potatoes for seed the fol
lowing year. This practice is all
wrong and makes it all the more
difficult for a grower to get heavy
yields of high quality potatoes.
A small potato is usually a sign
of disease. Using such a potato
for seed increases immeasurably
the chances of infection in the
field. Withered potatoes are low
in vitality due most always to I
poor storage conditions. Avoid
their use as seed and aim for Wig
orous plants, recommends the hor-
ticulturist.
Smut Cut Yield
Smut decreases wheat yields ap-
proximately 25 million bushels an
nually and a large share of the
winter and practically all of the
Spring wheat loss can be elimi-
mated by proper treatment with
copper carbonate dust, says Waldo
Kidder, extension agronomist at
Montana State College.
There are several smut treat
ments, the most popular of which
are with copper carbonate and for
The copper carbonate
method is recommended by the
agronomist because of several adj
vantages. One of the most import
ant of these is that seed wheat
can be treated at any time con-
venient previous to seeding. Cop
per carbonate Is not injurious to
termination, vigor of growth, less
seed per acre is necessary, seed
may be planted in dry ground
without loss of vitality and it af-
lords some protection against in
from spores in the soil.
The formaldehyde method does
not cause seed injury unless the
seed is stored. 1t is an effective
method of control and treated
grain may be fed to stock with
)ut injury. It's disadvantages are