The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-04-23
WILL CONTINUE TO TEST
VARIETY OF VEGETABLES
Extension Service Test Plots To
Be Enlarged This Year; Re-
suits To Be Tabulated
POTATO TESTING NEEDED

Experimentation and testing by the
Extension Service in cooperation with
the Experiment Station of Maryland,
for the purpose Of discovering the
species of potatoes, vegetables, etc.,
best adapted to this climate, will be
continued and enlarged this year, it
was announced yesterday by John H.
Carter, county agent.
A test plot is being added this year
on the farm of the H. Weber and Sons
Company, one mile east of Oakland,
where potatoes for resistance to wilt
diseases will be propagated. "The wilt
disease is increasing so rapidly in this
county that something must be done
if farmers are to stay in the potato
business" Mr.. Carter stated.
Many farmers have been complain
ing of the dark spots in their potatoes,
which are said to be caused by GER
tain type of blight. All known vari-
cites of potatoes will be tested, as we'll
as new seedlings on this new plot.
Other tests and experiments which
have been carried on in past years will
be continued, Mr.. Carter said.
At the William P. DeBerry farm
experimenters are taking standard
varieties of potatoes, testing them as
to yields and comparing the seed
sources. 1t is the hope of those in
charge, the county agent said, to ar
rive at two, three or more varieties
best adapted to local conditions. Thir-
ty-four varieties were planted last
year, including early and late. The
work has been in charge of DR.. R. A.
Jehle, potato specialist of the Univer-
sity of Maryland, and Mr.. Carter.
Cool Climate Vegetables
Vegetables adaptable to growing in
cool climates are also being tested
there by the Extension Service and H.
p. -Cordner and W. A. Frazier, horti-
culturists. Last year varieties of eau
liflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli and
head lettuce were grown and tested.
This experiment will be enlarged to
one acre this year. The breeding of
peas for development of new varie-
ties for canning and market consump-
ton, will also be continued this year
under the direction of C. E. Temple,
State patholiogist.
Sprays and Fertilizers
Six different spray materials on
the market are being tested and COM
pared with the results of the standard
Bordeaux mixture. Testing of varie-
ties of fertilizers are being conducted
by j. A. Metzger, assistant director
of the Maryland Experiment Station.
The breeding of potatoes for new
varieties, which has been conducted
for the past four years on the farm of
H. L. Porter, near town, through Fed
eral and State agencies, is to be con-
tinued this year. Over one thousand
different varieties were planted last
year and tests made of all varieties,
Mr.. Carter stated. The work has been
in charge of H. J. Stephenson, Federal
horticulturist.
Advised To Keep Informed
Home gardeners and commercial
growers of vegetables are advised by
Mr.. Carter to keep informed as to the
value and adaptability of new varie-
ties and strains which are developed
and which are of higher quality,
greater productivity and more resist
ant to attacks of disease.
"Cost of seed is a relatively small
item," Mr.. Carter pointed out, "and a
slight increase due to purchase of i'm
proved strains may be much more than
offset by greater yields at no addi-
tional outlay for fertilizer, cultivation
or disease control"
The use of certified seed stocks
which is increasing, eliminates one
definite hazard in the way of diseases.
An examle of this mentioned by Mr..
Carter was the new hybrid strains of
sweet corn, of high quality and pro-
ductive, and in addition remarkably
uniform in character. Another example
was the new Katahdin potato, origi-
mated by the U. S. Department of Ag-
riculture as an example of the de-
velopment of quality in a variety that
is adapted to many sections of Mary
land. Growers are advised to follow
results of demonstrations made with
these improved varieties and to adopt
those which seem adapted to their To-
cal conditions.