THESIS ComMMERCIAL POTATO QULTURE a WASHINGTON ALBERT GEORGE Craic Master of HorTicutTure 1909, —— JHES!> StaLves THESIS COMMERCIAL POTATO CULTURE IN WASHINGTON. By Albert George Craig. 1909 Me, dic Master of Horticulture “Michigan Agricultural College. JHESIS TABLE of CONTENTS Introduction. Climate. Soil. . Fertilizers. Preparation of the soil and subsequent treatment. Hilling. Mulching Planting. Time to plant. Distances apart. Methods of planting. Hand planters. Horse planters. Depth to plant. seed. Amount of seed. Number of eyos. Treatment of seed previous to planting. Sprouting. Troatment for Scab. 94936 Causes for poor stand. Harvesting. Method of harvesting. By hand. By horse diggers. Handling and storing. Picking up. Grading. Storing. Potatoes as a substitute for summer fallor. Potatoes under irrigation. Variety. Varieties tested. Group le Group 2e Group Se Group 4e Group Se Group Ge Synonyms ° Varieties that produce new potatoes early and mature early in the season. Varieties that produce new potatoes early and mature in early September. Varieties that produce new potatoes early but mature late. Varieties that produce good market- able potatoes and ripen early in the fall. Heavy-yielding varieties that mature late in the season. Heavy-ylelding varieties undesirable for market purposes, but advantage] ously grown for stock feed. Discarded Varieties. 42 47 51 52 535 Seed selection. Seed selection experiments. What to look for when selecting hills. Methods of selection used by farmers. Selecting seed in field when horse diggers are used. Diagram illustrating process of selection. Seed firms. Potato machinery companies. Summary « Acknowledgments. 0000000 Pag 58 60 69 70 71 73 75 77 78 84 INTRODUCTION. The peculiar olimate and soil conditions of Washington are especially favorable for the production of potatoes. In many large sections the atmosphere is so dry during the growing period that it furnishes unfavorable oonditions for the development of fungous diseases on the foliage, nor have we in this State the Colorado beetle, (potato bug), which is so destructive east of the Rocky Mountains and annually necessitates the expenditure of large sums of money for spraying. There is little danger of overstocking the potato market here. The Eastern demand for Washington-grown pota- toes is good and in the past has rarely allowed the price to fall below ten dollars per ton in oar lots. In addition to this there is a rapidly increasing market for our pota- toes in Alaska and at home. There is, however, no crop now grown in Washington which shows greater variation in yield per acre than the potato. This is largely because of the erroneous idea that potatoes as a crop do not need much attention. Many farmers give time and care to the potato crop only when there is nothing else to be done, and as a result the potato is neglected. This crop responds to good culture to a greater degree than any other, and the grower who exercises proper care with his potatoes is always re- paid in yield and quality. There are thousands of acres of land now devoted to summer-fallow which might produce good crops of pota- toes with very little additional éxpense, and yet leave the soil in better condition for wheat than it 1s under the present methods of summer-fallowing. The average cost of producing potatoes in Eastern Washington is a little leas than five dollars per ton. The plowing and harrowing which would have to be done on the summer-fallow land if potatoes were not grown is included in the cost. There- fore, the potatoes grown in the place of summer-fallow can be sold for a very low price and still leave a good bal- ance. If the market remains as high as it has been for many years a net profit of fifteen to twenty dollars fron what would otherwise be idle land can easily be secured. Men are constantly coming into the State to engage in agriculture, and this bulletin is written to meet the great oall for information on potato oulture by such men and by older residents of the State who wish to add pota- toes to their list of crops. The experienced grower also may find some valuable suggestions in the discussion. In addition to the results of experiments with pota- toes for the past three years on the Experiment Station Farm, this bulletin contains much information gleaned by the author from many of the best potato growers of this State and the large potato growing sections of the State of Michigan. 4 fi. eae @eas CLIMATE Climate is one of the greatest factors to be taken into consideration in the commercial production of potatoes. Other things being equal, potatoes can be raised with less expense per acre in a climate where most of the precipitation of moisture comes in the late fall, winter and early spring months than in climates where rains are expected weekly during a large part of the growing season. This is espec- ially true of soils naturally retentive of moisture. Large areas of Eastern Washington have just such climate and soil. Once a good surface mulch is established to conserve mois- ture, no further cultivation is necessary, except where weeds are bad, until a rain destroys the mulch. This mulch can usually be established with a harrow, and very little cultivation is necessary. The weed seeds that germinate early in the season are ugually killed with the harrow, and few seeds will germinate later in the surface soil, provided no summer raine come to moisten the mulch. In all cases the harrow or cultivator should be used as soon after rains as the soil will permit, to conserve moisture and kill weeds. In humid summer climates this is about once a week. The writer has seen potatoes on good soil in a olimate where rain was expected every week until August suffer from drouth in late summer more than in Eastern Washington, where the rainfall is seldom above twenty inches. This is due to the fact that where rain comes so frequently, the best of farmers fail to oultivate aftor each rain, and whon the dry spoll does come tho soil is not in the proper physical condition to hold sufficient moisture to tide over the dry spell, and the crop suffers as a resulte Whereas, in many parts of Washington the farmer knows that he must depend upon the moisture already in the s011 at the beginning of the growing period, and he sees to it that the soil is put into the condition to retain as much moisture as possible. The moisture is retained by establish- ing and maintaining a soil mich. The Washington farmer gets few showers to destroy the mulch; therefore, the expense of cultivation is small and the supply of moisture is more uni- form than it is where summer rains are frequent. It is ap- parent, then, that light rains during the growing season are expensive to the potato-grower in semi-arid climates. The moisture from a light rain is not sufficient to soak down through the surface mulch to get to the roots, but from the establishment of capillary action it necessitates the expense of cultivating to re-establish the proper mulch. The solid portion of potatoes isa mostly starch. Starch is made in the green leaves, and only in the presence of light. In climates where the days are long and bright wo have the ideal condition for the formation of starch. We have just such weather in a large part of Washington. The long, bright, dry days are favorable to the growth of pota- toes and unfavorable to the development of most of the worst diseases. This not only favors the yield, but saves the great expense of spraying, which is absolutely essential to success with potatoes in most humid summer climates. soil The selection of soil is a very important matter in ' growing potatoes. A deep, friable, mellow loam, rich in humus and well drained, is the ideal soil for potatoes. One hundred and three varieties grown on the Experiment Station farm gave much larger yields on clay loam than on soil containing a larger peroentage of clay, regardless of year, and only ten varieties gave a slightly increased yield on clay soil over clay loam soil. No sandy soil was avail- able for experimental purposes. Heavier soils may give good results by the incorporation of manure, or better by plowing under clover, or alfalfa sod. If the soil has a ten- dency to pack, the tubers are restricted in their growth and are often misshaped. Supplying humus to such soils not only makes them friable, but increases their water-holding capac- itye The soil should, at all events, be in a good physical condition. Potatoes should not follow potatoes because so many of the potato diseases live over in the soil. In the "Palouse Oountry" the north hill slopes and valleys are especially adapted to potato culture because the soil is lighter, richer, and more retentive of moisture than on either the south or southwest slopes. Light soils oan be worked earlier in the spring than clay soils and it takes less labor to put them in proper tilth. Potatoes grown on light, well-drained soils mature earlier and keep longer than those grown on stiff clay soil. Early pota- toes should be planted on light soil with a warm exposure. Fertilizers With the exception of a few growers on high-priced land, near cities, the need of commercial fertilizers for the potato crop has not been felt in the State. If the farm manures are properly handled, commercial fertilizers will be unnecessary for years, and the writer is tempted to say, for generations. Commercial fertilizers may increase the yield, but in most places it is doubtful whether the increased yield would more than pay for the cost of fertilizers. We have so much land in the State adapted to potato growing that it is more profitable to increase the acreage than to pur- chase fertilizers. It is almost impossible to supply too much humus to the potato soil. Humus increases the water-holding capacity and improves the texture of the soil, and therefore favors the growth of the plant and tubers. Manure is one of the best sources of material to make humus. Barnyard manure may be applied in almost unlimited quantities, provided the manure is "short" and is thoroughly worked into the soil. Ooarse, fresh-made manure may be applied in small quantities, but if applied in large quantities it makes the soil too loose and consequently unretentive of moisture. Caution is urged, however, in the use of very fresh manure; fresh horse manure favors the development of potato scab. Humus may also be secured by plowing under a good green crop of oats, peas, rye, alfalfa, or clover sod. 7? PREPARATION OF THE SOIL and SUBSEQUINT TREATMENT In order to catch and hold the winter precipitation and to allow the soil to be acted upon by the elements, plowing should be done in the fall and left rough all winter. This is especially important in semi-arid climates. The eub-surface eoil has time to settle, and the surface can be worked earlier than if left to be plowed in the spring. On heavy clay soils this settling may be undesirable; in such soils disking in the fall and plowing in the apring is better than fall plowing. In most oases, deep plowing (8 to 12 inches) gives better results than shallow plowing, but if the land has been plowed shallow in the past, it is not advisable to put the plow down more than one or two inches deeper than in the previous year, unless the plowing is done so early in the fall that the newly turned-up soil will be exposed to the ac- tion of frost, etc., for a few months before the field is planted. When spring plowing is practiced, the surface soil should be worked as soon after plowing as possible, to pre- vent the loss of moisture. In light soile--and all kinds of soil in semi-arid sections--some kind of sub-eurface packer should follow the plow to firm the sub-surface. This should immediately be followed by a harrow, to work up a surface mulch. When the soil plows up cloddy, a plank clod smasher should be used and followed with the harrow. When the soil cannot be plowed in the fall, it is a good plan to disk the land in the fall, so that the eurface will be left rough to catch and hold the winter precipitation of moisture. Fall-plowed ground should be well harrowed as early in the spring as the soil will permit. If not immediately planted, it should be harrowed at frequent intervals. This will conserve the moisture and kill all the weeds that start after the first harrowing. Some successful farmers harrow immediately before and after planting. Other equally suc- cessful farmers do not harrow just before planting, but thoroughly harrow after planting, and again, once or more, at intervals of a week or ten days. A spring tooth harro,r, 60 provided with shoes or wheels that the depth can be regu- lated, or one of the outting or "scuffle" type harrows, is the best for harrowing before the plants reach the surface. While the plants are coming up and until they are four or five inches high, a spike tooth harrow can be used. Where weeds are not bad and no rains come to destroy the mulch, very good crops have been obtained without further oultiva- tion. The dust mulch made with the harrow should be main- tained, however, until almost time for the tubers to mature. To do this the field should be well cultivated after overy shower, as soon as the surface is dry enough to permit. The harrowing will kill all weed seeds that germinate early, and in many cases there is no further trouble. But where weeds are bad they should be removed even if hand labor is required. The main object of summer cultivation is to prevent the soil from crusting or baking and to conserve moisture. This is accomplished by removing the weeds and maintaining e ary mulch on the surface. Hilling Very few farmers east of the Cascade Mountains praoc- tice hilling to any appreciable extent, but west of the mountains it is commonly practiced. Experience of farmers and careful experiments by many of the Experiment Stations teach that hilling to any appreciable extent is a poor practice, except where the soil is poorly drained, or where ea water table is but a few inches below the surface. Hilling is usually done about the time that the tubers are "setting". To get the soil thrown up against the plants the plow must go deep. This deep plowing breaks quite a large number of feeding roots at the critical stage of growth. It not only checks the growth by root pruning, but it exposes more evaporating surface, and the moisture is taken from the soil when it is most needed by the plants. Fiela after field of potatoes west of the Cascade Mountains suffers for the want of moisture some time during the season almost every year. A number of the owners of such fields were asked why they hilled their potatoes so much. Without an exception they said that they had to hill to keep the potatoes from sunburning. They had not tried any other method of overcoming the difficulty. Other potato-growing regions are now practicing the level culture method, after the hilling method was practiced for several years. 10 It is true that potatoes often do force themselves above the surface of the soil and are ruined for table use by the sun; but a large proportion of that loss can be elim- inated by practicing deeper and closer planting. When the hills are closer together there are not so many large pota- toes in a hill, and therefore they are not forced out of the ground. An individual hill will not produce so many pounds of marketable tubers under close planting as when the hills are at a greater distance, but the yield will be just as heavy on account of the larger number of hills on the same area. Mulching — Some people advocate mulching with hay, straw, manure, or other litter, to take the place of cultivating, but it is generally cheaper to maintain a soil mulch by frequent oulti- vation than it is to apply litter. The mulched potatoes at the Experiment Station farm yielded the same as those culti- vated. The straw mulch was spread over the whole surface at the time of planting. Other stations report increased yields by mulching, over cultivation, but in nearly all cases they advocate placing the mulch between the rows after the potatoes are up, which is no doubt the best time. oe 11 hae) Ic Tig jut jn {Hi [= jr Time to Plant The best time to plant potatoes depends upon the cli- matee The potato plant should have ample moisture when the tubers are “setting"; therefore, the grower should plan to have his plants reach that stage of development when the soil is likely to have plenty of moisture. In places where summer rains cannot be depended upon and where irrigation is not practiced, the earlier the potatoes are planted, the better, provided there is no danger from late frosts. Our experience at the Experiment Station teaches us that it pays to plant the late maturing varieties quite early, as well as the early maturing varieties. Distances Apart The distance between rows and hills in the row is one of the important points in potato culture. No one partic-~- ular distance will apply for all conditions and we find that practice throughout the State varies considerably. Some farmers plant in hills thirty-two by thirty-two inches so that they can be cultivated both ways. Others plant in drills twenty-eight to forty-eight inches apart, the plants being from ten to twenty-four inches apart in the row. The variety of potatoes and the fertility of the soil should determine the distances. Vigorous-growing varieties require more space than those having small. vines. Soll will admit of close planting in proportion to ita fertility, amount of moisture, and care given. On soils where the tubers have the tenden- cy to grow very large, it is best to plant close. When potatoes are grown on high-priced land, intensive culture should be practiced and the rows and hills planted as close-~ ly as the fertility of the land will permit. Increasing the size of the “seed"® pieces will give the same results as de- oreasing the space between the plants, but it increases the number of sunburned tubers. Methods of Planting There are innumerable methods of getting the seed into the ground. One cheap way, but not a wery desirable one, is to drop the seed into every second or every third furrow when plowing. Another rather common method is to prepere the soil in the ordinary way and then open up a furrow with a single shovel plow or “lister", deep enough to drop the potatoes into. Some farmers use s common break- ing plow instead of the single shovel. After the seed is dropped by hand the furrow may be filled in several ways. Covering entirely with the hoe is too expensive. A little soil may be pulled over each piece with a hoe, however, and then the rest replaced by a spring tooth harrow. Instead of using the hoe, a plow or “lister® is sometimes used to turn the soil back into the furrow. If the person who drops the potatoes presses the pieces down into the furrow by step- ping on them, it is not necessary to use the hoe or plow before the harrow in covering. The horse-hoe and the 13 potato coverer are good tools to cover potatoes in furrows. When the horse-hoe is used the small shovels are removed and the “winged* shovels arranged to throw the soil toward the center. Hand Planters. There are several good hand planters on the market. When hand planters are used the soil should be marked one way or in check rows, in advance of planting. Horse Planters. There are also several horse plant- ers to be had, and most of them give good satisfaction. No farmer who plants six or more acres each year can afford to be without a horse planter. They do the work not only more rapidly and cheaply, but more satisfactorily. Most of them are simple in their construction and are easy to handle. There are two general types of horse planters: lst, the automatic feed, which is very satisfactory, requiring but one man to operate; 2nd, the hand feed type, which requires two men to operate but drops a potato in every hill. Where land is cheap and labor high, the first type is best, but where land is high the hand feed is the most satisfactory. Depth to Plant The depth to plant should depend upon the soil and variety, early, or late. Five inches is none too deep for late potatoes, on light mellow soils, but for early pota- toes on any kind of soil or late potatoes on heavy soils, the depth should be decreased. At the time for early planting the soil five inches from the surface is likely to be cold and wet. If cut potatoes are placed deep in such soil they either decay or GEE THAT SHARP JAW Hand Planters. Potato Cutters. Automet at4 46--P1 : ante E rs e 14 come up slowly. To overcome this difficulty, in the western part of the State some growers plant only whole tubers. This is a good practice, provided the medium to emall pota- toes are selected from the best hills for seed. If the soil is mellow and the pieces contain enough food to push the plants above ground, better results are ob- tained from deep planting. This is true because the tubers are underground stems developed from buds in the axils of the undeveloped leaves under ground. By increasing the leaf- bearing surface underground, the chance for a larger number of tubers per plant is increased. Other things being equal, deep planting will give the desired results. When potatoes are planted deep, the tubers are borne down into the soil farther than when shallow planting is practiced. This de- creases the number of sunburned tubers but it increases to some extent the cost of digging. Where farmers have difficulty in getting a good stand by deep planting in moist soil, the trouble can be overcome by placing the seed in a trench four or fiwe inches deep and covering only one or two inches. In a week or ten days they can be more deeply covered by harrowing crosswise. This will allow the soil to warm and dry sufficiently to prevent decay, and it hastens growth. _Amount of Seed S ED The amount of seed per acre depends upon the size of the seed and distance of planting. The amount used by different farmers in the State varies from 180 to 1000 pounds per acre. It is right that there should be quite a variation in the amount of seed used, because fertile land well supplied with moisture should receive more seed than poor soil lacking in moisture. toes have the tendency to grow too large it is best either On land where pota- to plant the hills closer or to put in larger outtings, both of which increase the amount of seed per acre. Table of Pounds of Seed per Acre at Different Distances, When Pieces Weigh One Ounce Each. Inches Inches between between Hills Rows in Row 24 12 24 15 24 18 24 20 24 24 30 10 30 12 30 18 30 18 30 20 356 10 36 12 36 15 56 18 Pounds per Acre 1361 1089 908 823 681 1507 1089 871 726 654 1089 908 726 605 e202 20e:.hlUmlmlC DOUC WUC DUC DTU OWlUC DUC DCDCDC ll Inches between Rows Inches between Hills in Row 15 Pounds per 545 454 303 9354 778 622 §19 467 817 681 645 454 3540 Acre HNotese-=The Tore,oing table will aid the farmer to determine how large to cut each piece, viien the amount of seed per acre and the distances apart are determinede For exanple, a farmer wishes to plant about 600 pounds per acre and have the hills thirty-six by eighteen inches apart. The table shows that each piece should weigh one ounce. If the distances and size of seed plece are determined, the amount of seed can be ascertained by the table. Number of Eyes Frequently people ask how many "eyes" to a piece five the best results. If a piece weighing two ounces has one good eye it may produce one to three plants, more or less branched, depending upon the variety. Another piece of the same size, having more eyes, may not produce any more plants. Cne bud may start earlier than the others and the food may be transferred to that bude If the plants require quite a little food to push up to the light the other buds will not receive enough food to give them a start, and there- fore there are no more plants from the piece with two or more eyes than from that of equal size with one eyee If the piece containing two or more eyes be larger than the other with one eye, then there will be more plants result- ing from the former than from the latter. Therefore, it does not make much difference how many eyes there are to a piece, provided the pieces are of equal sizee At any rate, there is not enough difference in results to pay for the extra labor required to cut to a certain num- ber of eyes. .® 17 TREATMENT OF SEED PREVIOUS TO PLANTING When potatoes are stored in a damp warm places they send out long white sprouts which consume the plant food. These sprouts are tender and are rubbed off by handling, and as a result the seed is injured more or less, the amount depending upon the length of the sprouts. The growth of sprouts can be largely prevented by storing the tubers in a ary, cool place ° Sprouting In oommunities where late frosts are not troublesome, early potatoes can be had a week or ten days earlier by allowing the potatoes to sprout in the light and then plant- ing without rubbing off the sprouts. When potatoes sprout in the light, instead of getting weak, long, white sprouts we get short, broad, green sprouts with roots started, ready to penetrate the soil when they are planted. The sprouts have a good start when the soil is ready to receive them; therefore, the plants should be earlier. Larger yields as well as earlier tubers have been reported when this has been practiced. The increase in yield is due to the fact that there ia often morse tuber—bearing surface on Plants resulting from seed sprouted in the light. Examination of the short, green sprout will show a number of scales or rudimentary leaves, close together, snd it is from tne axils of these scales tnat tne tuber-bearing branches are producod. "If the tubers start growth in the dark, either indoors or below ground, the scales are found at longer intervals and there are correspondingly fewer Places for the production of tubor-bearing branches." Other things being equal, increasing the tuber-bearing surface will increase the number of tubers. Bright light or sunlight does not hurt potatoes for seed, so the best way to get the short green healthy sprouts is to spread the tubers out on the grass two or three weeks before planting, or if there is danger from frost, ona barn floor where they can get plenty of light. Some growers of early potatoes in the East have shallow boxes, made to hold one layer of tubers, and these flats can be placed in any well lighted place after they are filled. Treatment for Scab When the seed shows any trace of scab it should be treated with a solution of Formalin: Formalin 1 pound Water 50 gallons Soak the potatoes two hours in this solution before cut- ting. All sacks and other receptacles should be treated with the solution to'protect the tubers from re-infection. Plant only on land free of the disease. Causes for Poor Stand Frequently only a part of the potatoes come up. This may be due to one or more of several unfavorable Poor Stand, due to planting too shallow in dry soil. This photograph was taken the same day as the above, in the same township. 19 conditions; viz.e, heated sesd, chilled seed, diseased seed, Planting too deep in wet, cold soil, and not planting at a uniform depth in dry soil. I. Very often a poor stand is due to the seed and not to the soil conditions. Farmers frequently cut the seed a few days in advance of planting and put it into sacks or Place in piles. When this is practiced the seed ig sure to heat in a few hours and the per cent. of injured pieces'is in proportion to the length of time that the seed is left in the plies or sacks. If the heating be very marked, the seed will show the effects of it, but if it is Blight and of short duration it can readily escape the eye and the farmer thinks that he is planting perfect seed. The results, however, are not satisfactory. Even if the heating be slight, it 15 likely to affect the stand, be- cause the fermentation, though slight, has started fungous growth, which may continue to develop after planting and so weaken the young plant that it is unable to reach the surface. Out seed should never be allowed to remain in large piles or sacks over six hours. Many farmers have good results by cutting the seed and spreading it out in a dry place for a week or more, to allow the cut portion to "sear over". Land plaster (Gypsum) is sometimes sifted on the cut potatoes. There is no serious objection to the above method, provided the seed does not shrivel too much and the soil is in good condi- tion to receive it. However, results just as good can be secured by planting freshly cut seed. II. Poor stands may be due to diseased seed. The three diseases, Rhizoctonia (Corticium vagum.var.solani), Dry Rot (Fusarium oxysporium), and Brown Rot (Bacillus solanacearum), are found especially in irrigated sections and in the low lands west of the Cascade Mountains. These diseases live over from one season to another on the tubers and in the soil. III. When cut seed is planted early in wet cold soil, @® voor stand is often the result. (See page 13). IV. The potato growers in Eastern Washington fre- quently fail to get a good stand by reason of late planting and a failure to get all the seed down to moist soil. A horse planter will usually give better results than hand planting, under these circumstances, because it places the seed at a uniform depth and the furrow is not exposed to the drying effects of the wind and sun. If the surface soil be dry and lumpy, the coverer on the planter rakes the dry clods onto the seed. This can be remedied by harrowing immediately after planting. Where the land is very lumpy the roller should be used, followed by the harrow. If all the above conditions are avoided a good stand is assured. HARVESTING Where there is a market for early varieties, digging usually begins while the tops are green. Care should be exercised in digging and handling to avoid bruising. Late varieties should be fully ripe before digging, after which any convenient time will answer previous to very wet or severely frosty weather. On account of the prevailing soarocity of help throughout the State, the problem of harvesting the crop is one which calls for the most careful oonsideration on the part of the grower. The potato digging machinery has been so perfected in recent years that there is no doubt in the writer's mind that it will pay every farmer who grows six or more acres a year to own some kind of horse digger. Two or three neighbors may purchase one together. There are growers who say that they would not think of growing potatoes without an elevator digger, any more than they would raise wheat without a binder or a header. There are, however, conditions under which hand digging is preferable. Methods of Harvesting | There are several methods of harvesting practiced in the State, which are described as follows: Ry Hand. The potato fork and the potato hook are both used quite oxtensively for digging potatoes. Some farmers use the former exclusively and others the lattor. Those who use the hooks prefer those with long handles and long tines. Most farmers throw the potatoes from two rows into one “windrow", which makes the work of picking up easier. Others pick up each hill as it is dug. Many of the Chinese and Japanese growers west of the Casosade Nountains prefer the latter method. Two men take three baskets, the first to receive the marketable tubers, the second the smooth tubers a little below salable size out of the best hills, for seed, and the third the balance. As soon as a basket is filled it is emptied into a sack. Many who practice this method olaim that they can dig and pick up more and do it easier than they can the other way and the potatoes are never allowed to remain on the ground to be injured by the weather. By Horse Diggers. A few farmers use the single shovel plow to bring the potatoes to the surface. It is not a sate lsfactory digger, as many of the potatoes are left in the ground, and this tool should not be used except when labor is high, potatoes cheap, and a better machine cannot be had. A common breaking plow is occasionally used but it has the same objection as the single shovel. There are a number of horse diggers used in the State which give good results. The cheapest type is simply made, like a double mould-board plow with iron rods projecting backward from the mould=-board, to help separate P 6: a ] ae f = y Pee nen y/SNO] LF ey. eh Lary 5, sm te Kee mie Eee BX PR a e : a 4 .Cheap Simple Types of Diggers. Elevator Digger. * ¥ Nir SIM J Rotar 23 the tubers from the soil. The so-called rotary digger separates the potatoes from the soil by a combination of rotary movements, inverting the hills and spreading the tubers laterally to the side of the machine. The third type is known as the elevator digger. This type has an end- less chain of rode, etc., which oarry the earth and pota- toes backward and upward from the shovel. The endless chain shakes the soil out and the potatoes pass out over the back onto the soft ground. Some machines of this type have sacker or loader attachments. These attachments do not work vory satisfactorily as there are always stones, sticks, clods or other undesirable things which go into the sacks. This objection may not hold when a grader is used. Four horses and one man can dig from four to six acres in ten hours with an elevator digger. Local dealers can usually get any of the above machines, but in case they are not to be had locally the firme named on page 77 can furnish them. _Handling and Storing Picking up. After the tubers are brought to the sur- face they should be handled as little as possible. Any extra handling not only is expensive but bruises the ten- der skin and injures the keeping quality. At present most of the Washington potato crop is handled in sacks. A few farmers are using the bushel crate. In picking up, some farmers scatter the sacks out along the rows where most convenient for the pickers, and some requirs each pickur to take a sack of sacka (about 20 in number) and when he gets his basket full (about one bushel), to take out one sack and throw the remainder ahead to where the next sack will be needed. He empties two bas- kets into the sack, which should completely fill it; and when he gets the third basket filled he finds himself at his sacks again, and so on until his sack of sacks is empty. The teamsters who are hauling from the field are supposed to drop these sacks at the most convenient places for the pickers. The sacks are settled well and sewed up tight, to minimize rubbing. The average day's work for the common run of pickers is sixty sacks when the yield is good. Plenty of good pickers will pick ninety sacks per day when paid by the sack. I know of one farmer in the State who picked and Sacked one hundred sacks in ten hours. The writer believes that when sacks are less used for wheat, a large proportion of the farmers will use bushel crates for picking up the potatoes and that they will be shipped in bulk, instead of in sacks. The first cost of crates is very little more than for sacks, and if properly cared for they will last for years. They are handy to use in the field and are easily loaded onto a platform wagon. Grading. The Washington grower should pay more at- tention to the matter of grading. The retailer wishes to display tubers uniform in size, shape and color, and he is Potato Graders. ZO willing to pay extra to get them. A number of buyers and commission men wore consulted on the subject, and all said that potatoes frequently come to them of all sizes, shapes and colors in one sack and they oan pay only a low price for them. When proper care is given to the selection of seed and the rotation of crops, there is no trouble with mixed colors. The grading for size and shape can usually be done when the potatoes are picked up. If the laborer cannot be depended upon to do this, a grader should surely be used. There are several graders on the market which do satisfactory work. For the high-class home market it pays to grade carefully and wash and pack early potatoes into boxes. The extra returns will more than pay the expense of putting them up in good condition. Storing. Potatoes are successfully stored in several ways. One common method is to level off a space in a well- drained place and pile the potatoes on the surface in cone- shaped piles, eight or ten feet in diameter and three feot high, or in long piles six or eight feet wide. These pits are immediately covered with a little straw and enough soil to keep the straw on and the light and frost out. As the weather gets colder, more soil is thrown on. If the pota- toes are covered deeply without ventilation soon after digging, they are likely to heat and decay. Ventilation for a week or ten days is sufficient, provided the weather remains cool. o6 Any ccecl, frost-proof celler or root-house is suita- ble for the storage of potatoes. Most root-houses can te kept cool if proper ventilation is provided. If the stor- age is too warm early in the season, it can be remedied by opening the doors and ventilatore at night and closing them in the morning. POTATOES AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SUM/ER=FALLOW Summer-fallowing is practiced to greater or less extent in every wheat-growing district in the State, and in some sections from one-fourth to one-half of the lard is idle in this way every year. In the past, farmers have made good profits by the summer-fallow method, but the time is fast approaching when the farmers will have to stop this practice or go out of business. Cultivated crops, such as corn, peas, beans and potatoes, can be grown at a good profit on land now devoted to summer- fallow, and yet leave the soil in better condition for wheat than it is under the present methods of summer- fallowing. Summer-fallowing is practiced to allow the plant food to become available, to improve the physical con-=- dition of the soil, to destroy weeds, etc. In soils de- void of vegetation, bacterial action takes place so rapidly that more plant food is liberated than is neces- sary for the succeeding wheat crop. This is especially true of nitrogen, the most expensive plant food. Fron three to six times as much nitrogen is liberated on summer-fallows as is necessary to mature the wheat crop. The excess available nitrogen either passes off into the air in the form of gas or is washed away. This is a ce great loss, which will be noticeable in subsequent years. Now, if a cultivated crop is grown on the land, the weeds are destroyed, the physical condition of the s011 is improved, and the plantstake up the excess avail- able plant food that would otherwise be lost if allowed to be in summer-fallow. When the potato crop is removed there is just as much or a little more moisture in the soil as there is in the average summer-fallow. Farmers reporting to me, who have practiced planting potatoes on wheat land, instead of summer-fallowing, have not men- tioned any decrease in yields compared with the surmer- fallow method. Therefore, all the objects sought by the summer-fallow are accomplished by the cultivated crop. On account of the scarcity of labor, the wheat farmer in order to grow potatoes successfully to any great extent on summer-fallow land must have, or be able to get, in addition to his farm machinery, a good potato planter and a horse digger. He should also have a potato cutter and a one or two horse cultivator. With this extra equipment the farmer can utilize a part of the land now idle and make a good profit, with very little extra help. One wheat farmer says that the labor problem has been solved with him since he began to grow a large quantity of potatoes. As soon as his spring wheat is sown he starte his men to preparing the soil for and planting potatoes. By the time the early wheat is ready to har- vest, the potatoes have received about all the necessary cultivation. When the wheat harvest is over the digger is started in the potato fleld. Before all the potatoes are dug the wheat drill is started in where the potato digger commenced and by the time all the potatoes are harvested the patch is sown to fall wheat. The men are sure of continuous employment for a number of months and are therefore willing to stay for smaller wages than it would be possible to get help for just the harvest season. It is not necessary to put on more labor in prepar- ing the soil for potatoes on wheat land than it is for a good summer-fallow, though larger yields may be secured by doing so. A large percentage of cultivation can be done with the harrow, and if the soil is not too *foul* hoeing is not necessary. The difference between the receipts of the potato crop and the extra cost of produc- tion above the cost of summer-fallow is clear profit. od POTATOKS UNDER IRRIGATION Enormous yields of potatoes have beeh secured under irrigation, but the cultivation is attended with aifri- culties. No other crop is so much dependent upon the skillful use of artificial water. Winter irrigation is practiced successfully by some farmers. The fields are flooded before plowing and allowed to dry to a tillable condition. This treatment insures perfect condition of the soil for working and for the first growth of the plants. The ordinary methods of cultivation, as given, may then be followed, without further addition of water, until about the time the plants bloom. If the soil be- comes dry before this stage of development is reached, water may te supplied. When the plants are in blossom the tubers are usually eset, and it is then that an abun- dance of water is needed to give them good growth. After the water is once applied to the soil, it should not be allowed to become dry again until time for the crop to mature. If the soil is allowed to become dry at any time after the first application of water and a subsequent irrigation is then given, the tubers are sure to make a second growth and become knobby. Water should not be applied too late in the season, or the potatoes will not ripen properly. In all application of irrigation water, dq jad care must be taken to avoid bringing it into direct con- tact with the growing tubers, as under such conditions the tendency to scab is increased. If winter irrigation is not practiced, the first water should be arplied immediately after the seed is planted. Irrigated potatoes should be hilled, and the water applied between the rows. In ordinary soil, water applied in the middle of rows three feet apart satisfies the requirements of the growing potatoes. The cultivator should follow each application of water. "“Sub-irrigated® lands, when not too wet or too strong with alkali, are most satisfactory for raising potatoes. There are some localities where soils receive just enough seepage from irrigation ditches or other water supplies to keep in moist, friable condition through- out the eeason. These, with frequent shallow cultivation, produce the finest, smoothest tubers, with the least trouble ard expense. To produce uniform moisture condi- tions in the soil is the secret of successful irrigation, and this is the absolutely essential condition for the most profitable potato growing under irrigation. NN wD VARIETY The reader should be impressed with the fact that there are strains of varieties, which differ in their characteristics--especially yield--as much or more than do named varieties. Many named varieties may possess more characteristics in common than do two strains of one named variety. Two men may purchase a perfectly uniform variety of potatoes from a third party. The first man practices the very best methods of culture and seed selection year after year; the second man does not select his seed properly and neglects his crop. Ina few years, seed is purchased from both men. The seed from the former gives good satisfaction, but the seed from the latter is disappointing. The potatoes bear the same name but the former is superior to the latter. The mere change of seed from one farm or community to another farm or cormunity is of no value.e One man who grew 120 acres of potatoes in 1907 made a serious mistake. He had been growing the "*Burbank® successfully but he heard of the large yields of a strain of the Burbank in another section of the State, so he bought, paying a good price, a number of sacks from that section without knowing their history. He planted them in a large field alongside of Burbank seed from his own farm. The soil conditions were uniforn and both received the same treatmonte When the writer visited the patch in August, the poor stand and un- even size on the part seedcd with imported seed were in marked contrast with the good even stand on the part seeded with home-grown seed. From outward appearance the markoet- able tubers from both parts of the field were identical, but the yield from the imported seed was much lower. When selecting a variety one should take into con- pideration the following characteristios: le. Season; new tubers early or late, mature early or late (See note below). 2. Yield. ce Tubers. (a) Size; large, medium or small. (b) Shape; round, oblong, flattened, elongated, regular or irregular. (c) Color. (ad) Eyes; large or small, deep or shallow, conspicuous or inconspicuous. (e) Tendency to second growth or not. 4. Plant. (a) Size. (b) Freedom from disease. (c) Tubers in hill; compact or scattered. For late use, a good yielding variety having medium sized plants, with white, medium sized, regular tubers with small, shallow, inconspicuous eyes, is the most desirable. For early purposes, white tubers are not essential. Note:--On account of the very great difference in climatic corditions in various parts of the State, it is important to know just about how lorg it takes for a variety to produce salable tubers and also about how lorg it takes them to mature. In sections of the State where the growing season is short or where fall rains interfere with harvest- ing, farmers should select varieties that mature early. Varieties Tested A large numbor of varieties were tested in 1906, 1907 and 1908. A full description and behavior of the plants of all the varieties and their yields would be bunglesome, ard because of that fact only a few are briefly described and placed in groups. In each group the varieties are placed in the order of preference--yleld, shape, color, character of eyes, etc., being taken into consideration. All the varieties bear the correct name as near ac the writer could determine. Group 1. Varieties that produce new potatoes early and mature early in the seasone "Lewis". Mr. Lewis of Chehalis, Washington, sent in an unnamed variety for trial. It is very promising for early use. (Tested one year.) Marketable in seventy days. Plants medium size, epreading; foliage light green. Tubers medium to large; form rounded oblong; skin rough, finely netted, light pink; eyes small, medium number, well distribu- ted, not conspicuous; flesh white. The variety resembles the Early Chio, but it is more prolific than any of the Ohios tested. New Queen (Young & Halsted). Marketable in seventy- five days. Plants large, vigorous, moderately spreading. Tubers large; form oval flattened, regular; skin smooth, light pink; eyes medium in size, uniform character, a little depressed end a little brici:ter pink than the ekine A very good variety for early market and promising for short Beascone Peck's Early. (Flansburgh & Pierson). Marketable in seventy-eipht dayse Plants medium to large, vigorous, spreading. Tubers medium in size, variable; form round to oval slightly flattened, irregular; skin smooth, light pink; eyes few, medium size, well distributed, shallow, variable in character, not conspicuous. A few tubers have streaks of pink in the flesh. A very desirable early variety. Pride of the South. (He A. Dreer). This variety is known by several different namese (See synonyms page &2). This strain has given better results than the others. Plants medium in size with light green, large leaves. Tubers medium to small; form round, regular; skin finely netted, brownish to white with a few small pink blotches; eyes small, bright pink; flesh clear white. A handsome tuber. "Lawrence". Professor C. We Lawrence brought from Quincy, Washington, for trial an unnamed variety. (Tested one year). Marketable in eighty days. Plants large; leaves large, broad. Tubers medium size; form oval slightly flat- tened; skin smooth and netted, clear white; eyes small, well distributed, inconspicuous; flesh white. Teleh Cobblere (Vaughan’s Secd Store). Marketable in eighty dayse Plants medium size, vigorous, spreading. Tubers medium to small, uniform in size and shape; form round very little flattened; skin a little rough, clear white; eyes small, inconspicuouse A good short season variety. Early Ohio. (L. Le. Olds, Northrup, King & Company, Veaughan's Seed Store). Marketable in eighty days. Plants medium size, light green colore Tubers average small; form oval slightly flattened, regular; skin smooth, light brown- ish pink; eyes medium number, rather small, shallow. A very good quality potato. Good strains of this variety give good yields. White Ohio. (Vaughan's Seed Store and H. Benthion). Marketable in seventy-five days. Plants medium to large, moderately spreading. Tubers medium in size, a little variable; form oval, slightly flattened, not always uni- form; skin smooth, clear white; eyes variable in character, medium in size, light pink. Six Weeks. (L. Le Olds and H. Benthien). Marketable in eighty-four dayse Plants medium size, spreading. Tubers medium to small; form round and oval, slightly flattened, fairly regular; skin smooth with a few netted spots at one end, brownish pink; eyes pink, medium in size, shallow but somewhat variable in character. A few tubers have pink streaks in the flesh. New Early Standard. (He Ae Dreer). Marketable in elghty-two days. Plants medium, vigorous, healthy, moder- ately spreading. Tubers medium in size, uniform; form round slightly flattened, regular; skin smooth, clear white; eyes medium in size, shallow and uniform in char- actere OS Farmers freyusutly ask, Which is best for seed, large or small potatoes? The small tubers from the good hills can be taken without any i111 results, provided they are not smaller than the cut pisces. When the time for field selection is passed and the potatoes for seed must re taken from the bin or pit, it is best to select the medium sized tubers. Seed Selection Experiments To study the inherited tendencies in hills, two or. more hills of several varieties were selected in 1906 and the tubers from each hill were planted separately in 1907. The following Table I gives weight of tubers in selected hills, a short statement of condition of tubers, yield per acre, and a short statement of condition of crop in 1907. The habits of the plants were also studied quite carofully. ‘pood 04 ITeg e°ee T’°uS2 edeys Pue EZTS IfFeyJ sisqny #o/T79 "[T "ON BE Pood Se YON O° FF O°SLe 4 4 4 4 us #o/T7E "S7TCUS PUe EZTS UF Te[NFeqIlyl Co°7e bE°S¢2 [T[eus pue esIelT yyoq sasany #2/T-8 S° 67 O° SOT TTeuas [Te sasqn, #f9T/FT-? 8° es t°ste edeys PuE eZTS ITey siEeqny #91T/S-9 ‘lU[NVeAIT ‘TTeug ore 6°LT 3 SZTS UT Ae[NJeqi} sazsqny, #e/T-7 ‘letnseriyt ‘ITe_ gory $° Sct " uzospun ‘pezTs umppew [Te szeqny, #9T/FPI-OT on. m " 9°09 T°68¢S edeys puwe ezts uy wiosfun sieqny #1 009 we qON ‘WdojTuN fipteq P7°Gy O° s9o¢ edeys pue ezts UT Ae[NPe1ay sreqny #S ‘Ll ‘ON 04 JOTASJUT SIEan, ¢°9Eg S° SLT edeys ifTey‘ezte ut ueaeun sioqny #2/I-¢ __ ss i pond 04 TTB «gee = =—eg*eoc. —Fi—“<‘—i—éis AG UL OZ UT WAOFTUN Bisqny _. #9 Oveg UO B¥YIeCUIByY Pue BIEqn, [[eUug e>[qezyoyrey sq] . sTeusng “LO6T &4TNSOY ‘9O6T PEOSTOS STITH ‘AZVOFICA OUIeES eEYY VIOIZ BLTTy oze fATeEATQnoesuo0d fo *ON JO BOSE MOT rue ¢ °oN T “ON “STTTY 38eq BUY EACMTE JOU OTS BITTY eaTZoOnpord 4yeom eu D 4 SLITH TeUPTATPUL JO By [NDOY ‘Il HIGVL rat ao 2 A OM eteb ed 1 TTP UTLEY UT Puledey ITD Gueus yo gees FPSt #e/t-T °“iTeF BLOQNL Spy 8°STte Ly “ “ u u u 8°T8 y° Sor #e/T-F "poo? ynq TLeMs eLIITT Vo S°Od 9° Tee #¥/e-9 "tym faea 09 eFzeT fx0A wWoTg G09 G*Lgt TIwus yser ‘reqny e#fieT Area eu re/Tr' *TTews reuzyel TTV F°eo g°Stt ez—TS umppetl mOTeq Sicqny #o/T"S *“iFeF BsEgNyL O°99 e° STT FSF SAGQny #¥/T-? "T “ON UeYq S29egny, 169498q 4°OS T°9ST Tleus MoT B ‘SlEqn} Pood oewog #2 /Trd *TTeus TTy 4°89 9°¢L TTeus yee0r oy Sreqngy oF1eT AreA OUD dv /T-8 *LVU[NGeIIT sisan4 ‘STLTW UT eouedejsTp zyeerH ¢°09 6°O¢c OZ}>8 UF Jce[nser sieqny #v/T-OT GZTS UT TeTNvoeIaT “OTQCeTIGA O4TN BLTTH ¢°49 9°6TS eouelTeq ey, ‘B1eqn, Pood mez WY #9T/FI-S "T “Oy URYLY “TTTU UT eouezejJyJTP TeVveeIn g°eP G°*SL_T OTALTIBVA 3861 SreqnyZ EeFABVT ATOA EU #e/TrL “STLTY UP @dUaLEZTTP yvers y B°eg G°L9¢ ezTS uy UeAG YOU BAeqny xe PPG O edeys um poOs Be 4¥OU STTTY ewog P'gsg 6° SE pue ezts ut WoJTUN o4Tnh sieqny re/T-9 S0uo T[BUsS SAT pus ‘untpem ‘aeTS UT USAGSUN PUB T[BUS TLIY O°LP O°80T z euo ‘zreqn} pedeys—TI}T esz1eT euo #2/T-2 edeys _ ‘“T °ON ueyq wrosyuN eroy g*eg t°6r¢ gee OZzTe UF wxrOZTUN ATATeT Sroqny #7 /T-OT eS eaeyus "Ui? E€ZTS UT azetnFeqiy AISeA PH°OTL O° Sct pue eZT8 UT zeTNZerItT Area BIEQN] #¥ /S-ST __ *poos 09 ATe Z£°sh _6°FTL edeyus pus’ oztTs I,Vy Bisqny #2/TrT alVJ UO BYLVUIEY PUB BAeqny, [LeUug e[qe_yoeyrEy “BAT ; sToeusng “L06T 83 TNS86Y *9O6T PS29CETSS STITH we r- OW ri C2 r+ C2 tt 06th 6M Sla a em mM AR A OM re 4 WLOJTUN eTOU yng ‘STP Saeqng “wrosfuN STTTH ¢°99 9° 66T ‘T °ON UF SB BieqnyZ AUC Se ION WMTPEW ¢g ‘SuM[TORaLLT [Tews f£2ean, *OETGCeTIBVA BITTY G° sr L° SPS ALOA MOF B SOZFB UF UeAGO JOU BIEqn], e71Rq T *wlostzun ATIT~ey Saicany O°6T 0°OOF eZTS UT UeAO Bleqn], WMIpeR ec ‘azTS UT weaeun ereqny e°TS ~9°662 @Z~T8 UT UeACUN BIEeqgnL, we71e7T IT ‘poos AT[TeuCTydedxy g*OPF 0°SO9 [[wus pue eFIeT Baisqny, wumMqfpey eg *pood LISA gG*99 *© Tleus Mol B faztTe wNTpem sdeqny, eFaeqT Jf ces UO SYIEWUOY PUB BAvBINY T[LeUg elqezeyxaeyy POUSTOM “ON eTeusng +ON “LOG6T B2TNSEey “OO6L PePOeETSES BITTH The study experiments teach that the heaviest~ yielding hills are not always the best for seed, and that to select hills for seed intelligently the number of plants in a hill must be taken into consideration. This was done when the hills were selected for the 1908 crop. In 1908 two plots each of twelve varieties of pota- toes were planted. One plot of each varloty was planted with seed selected from the best hills. Large and small of the hills were planted. The other plot was planted with seed selected from the medium to poor hills. A large percent of the tubers from the medium to poor hills would usually be taken by the farmer if the tubers were taken from the bin for seed. As near as was possible, the two plots cf each wariety had the same kind of soil and treatment. The results are given in the following Table II: tste = grb | #LT - STLFY mNnz~pou g “ 4 : > S4Tr * yeeg #2l — SLIFU pood ¢ pTog AJEUTN Ovest : 80Tr : : #29 - STITT wnfpem FT , 4 : > 8cST : O8d% {2 - 8[TITy pood g Buty zyeoArey : : : 4 - STItq 97ST * Och : : Iood 04 *pou TT " " : > @40T + QL4TS $49 — BILITY Pood eT ALOT “AOD : : : #9 ~ STITT eest = 6079 : : rood 04 *pem 9T 4 "c1oeqny osrte fe *on ueyy : : : a cgTUN erloW pues zesre{t sdoy : > gOTS = Ggset #49 ~ STITU poo? OT £9M9Q "T °ON ueyqy : : : #¥S — STITY CALITOOD TaQUTFET OSeCFTOG BL4FS + BIEL = zood 09 ‘pem gg 4 4 "9 “ON uvyy eoUuBrBEed : : : - —™ UT WOT Tun eiow 84UueTg : > @884T * 6S00T #97 — BSTIFY pood 6 ¢ “ON UeMIeD | : : : #09 > STTTY GCOT = Lieb 3 : zood 03 *pem OT y " ‘g ‘ON Uvyy WIOsTUN eLOR : ; gSST : g008 #87 - STITY poosd G6 T °ON uemTED BSyreMWoyY _ eTae eTqe Treug ~-7,SeLLVH Ijeug -~jexyzey e10y zed exroy zed eidoy asd esr0y aod snunog spunog spunog spunog SITFH Poop wooly pOnPoOIg “II didvVd EY IwTAY Pepunsd ELQgt ttt ete t teow ecoe Itt9 SlOe Geter rire tsetse te serereay eyet >: ee6h F STLTY rood 04 unfreu ¥2 : 3 908T : O6LS BLITY pood eT GLOT : 8es9 3 : #vY ~ STIFY 100d 03 uNTpeW OT : : SOFT : vPS9 f9E — STTTU Pook g Ogee 6beF : : #6T — ETITU rood of uUMTpeM 4 : : Sele ; YeeL #99 - BLITU pooF 1 COBT : coLOT : : #o4 ~ STLTU untpem Gg 3 : 7902 : PBLET #89 — STTFU Pood FT 9¢e¢ : GEOL : 3 #9 - STLTTY 100d 03 umtpeu F : : 98ce 3 CELET #6T — STITY pood ¥ 6e9T ; STé6T : : #4 — STITY 200d 03 umfpem ¢g : : 6TET 3 9TIe #7T — SLITU Pood g "Sra — 6TQe ITeuUg —jJexrEH TTeUQ “PoRrTV;H er1oy aed eroy red eroy aed oroy sed spunog spunog spunog spunodg STITH PooH woly Zonpoig Y,9U0D) “II wiv ded S604R70d aTORZSNIeW JO UTEL m 4 YyyoumeR OF TUM u “ Ayneoeg oFTum 4 “ ‘Ir eXxeLTjAous a e01SUTg e % “ VYSEIGEN O1TUmM OFET MON STTS&d Ustay a . GL EGE “Ly Seed Pile to right, selectod hills. Pile to left, medium to poor hills. Plants Two rows to left of line, from selected hills. Two rows to right of line, from medium to poor hills. ; Resulting Tubers. I Pile to right, from selected hills. Pile to left, from medium to poor hills. 67 The crop from the gooi hille not only was about one=third larger, but the tubers wero more uniform in size and appearance than those from the medium to poor hills. The medium and medium to poor hills, taken as a whole, were not as good as the careful farmer would take for seed from the bin, but he would be sure to get very little tetter. It has been the writer's purpose to select, for several years, the good hills for seed from the offsprings of the good hills, and the medium to poor hills for seed from the offsprings of the medium to poor hills, to show the accumulative effect of repeatedly selecting good hills; also to prove that potatoes *run out" by constantly taking for seed large and small tubers from the poor hills. The varieties given in Table II are to be used to continue the experiment. This has been done for two years with three varieties and the results are given in the following Table III: o> Cz © be Ce sx rr am | ZLSsS vets ae OD WO ee Dee STARYOALeUUA 9 eLoy rad SpunNno g ‘spunod ¢pegr s**t ss erzoe zed seoyeqgod etqeyoyrzem so upyed everoay S8SP L98T 9246 LS7E 69¢T 00¢9 cIV?e FIST 9828 oo3g STV? VEO 74 If the farmer has been digging by hand and wishes to get a digger, he may use one oi the methods described above while he practices digging by hand. He will then have good selected seed to start with when this method is to be practiced. Other things being equal, the closer the selection is performed the first year, the better the re- sults that will be obtained in subsequent years. If the farmer is an expert at picking out the best hills before they are dug, the small plot may also be dug with the digger, after the best hills are taken out to continue the line of selection, thereby reducing the hand digging to a minimum. Only after long experience can a person become an expert at telling from the appearance of the plant what is likely to be in a hill. Plants should be vigorous and healthy, but on account of the great number of varicties it is impossible to give a rule to be followed in all cases. SEED FIRMS A list or the names and addresses of seed firms and Baldwin, Oe Ae Eo Berry, Ae Ae Seed Coe Breed, Oe Be Burpee, We Atlee & Co.- Benthien, Henry Currie Brose Coe. Dreer, He Ae Engle, Carl Farmer Seed Co. Farquhar, Re & Je & Co. Felt, Se Pe Flansburgh & Pierson Green, Profe Se Be Harris, Joseph Co. Henderson, Peter & Co. Iowa Seed Coe Johnson & Stokes Lawrence, Oe We Lewis Kansas Seed Coe individuals who furnished seed to be tested. Brigham, Kichigan Clarinda, Iowa Bothell, Wash. Philadelphia, Pa. Fife, Pierce Coe, Fach. Milwaukee, Wis. Philadelphia, Pa. Coupeville, Wash. Faribault, Kinn. Boston, Mass. Mte Vernon, Wash. Leslie, Michigan. Minneapolis, Minn. Coldwater, Ne Ye New York City Des Moines, Iowa. Philadelphia, Pa. Pullman, Wash. Chehalis, Washe Maule, WWme Henry May, Le Le & Co~ Northrup, King & Coe Olds, Le Le Salzer, John A. Wood, James Vaughan'’s Seed Store Ue Se Dopte of Agriculture ' Young & Halsted 76 Philadelphia, Pa. Ste Paul, inn. Mimeapolis, Minn. Madison, Wis. La Crosse, Wis. Bristol, Wash. Chicago, Ill. Washington, De Ce Troy, Ne Ye POTATO MACHINERY COMPANIES As a rule the local dealers handle potato machinery, but in case they do not the companies named below make special potato tools and will gladly furnish them to any farmer. Aspinwall Nfge Co. Jackson, Mich. Bakeman, We Ee Snohomish, Wash. Bateman Mfge Co. ' Greenloch, Ne J. Champion Potato Mache Co. Hammond, Ind. Dowden Mfge Coe Prairie City, Iowa. Hallock, De Ye & Sons | York, Pa. Hoover-Prout Oo. Avery, Ohio. Le Roy Plow Oo. Le Roy», Ne Ye Platt, He Je Sterling, Ill. Schofield & Oo. Freeport, Ill. Superior Drill Coe Springfield, Ohio. wenn aie ——— ——_— i svuol orld olwr @t., 3 : «soled Loran sotuaqnon ef! san ob ved? esah oS tm Gilerut viol, efol gftosdos. eras) fie foronorws eo” of gfcolmeaty ebrrl 9 informs: es@ot g¥tlo sintoart eSi og f1%% eOlirt. gytevaA oY off @ Cor Oui efL{l eg artisete2 edil eg ftoqoord eotdo ghLolftynicg? [ood rtaltog 009 eg IM LlLowntnn od o 9 ftartea -OD e397! mame?- 09D efioa)) ofatol aolqu. 299 eg iM cots ntol & eY ef gMook!s 000 tuo l~tevn 009 woid Yo . o& oll tt -09 & bLekter:- eOU fits] so lb-ves; 78 SUMMARY le Large areas of the State have climatic conditions particularly adapted to the growth of potatoes. The gaoil in these districts, if properly handled, is of such a character that it will hold enough of the winter and spring precipitation to mature a large crop of tubers without the help of rain during the summer season. The dry atmosphero is unfavorable for the development of the worst diseases of the potato. The Colorado beetle (Potato bug) is not found in this State. The long bright days of summer are particularly favorable for the forma- tion of starch, which is the main solid constituent of the potato. Le A deep, friable, mellow loam, ricoh in hums and well drained, is the ideal soil for potatoes. Heavier soils may give good yields, provided manure is well ine corporated into it or green crops are plowed under. For the best results the physical condition of the soil should be perfect. 79 de Barnyard manure is the best fertilizer and may be applied in large quantities, provided it is well composted and worked into the soil. 4e Potato land should be plowed in the fall, ieft rough all winter, and harrowed thoroughly as soon as dry enough in the springe Deep plowing is more satisfactory than shaliow plowing. When spring plowing is practiced the harrow should immediately follow the plowe &. § Harrow thoroughly right after the potatoes are planted and at intervals of a week or ten days until the plants are from two to five inches high. Maintain a dry surface mulch with oultivator. Be Level culture throughout the season is beste Hilling should not be practiced except on very wet, low land. The sunburning of potatoes can be avoided by planting deep and placing the hills close togother. 7 The dry soil mulch is just as good and much cheaper than a straw or litter mulch. &. The time of planting should be governed largely by the Climate and object for which the crop is grown. Potatoes should be planted at a time which will bring the blosson- ing period when there is ample moisturee When new potatoes 1 bray ‘ : ‘sero eqgaft ac doa Mf ofnt B efi catq od uivle .19f ofa’ om aE ; , cof infat" bee vtruaft Bre et a, ya yr af otf ote qeed eRrmbs § 4 9 y +149! ~ptivol ‘ wy ? r a mt basso se wlyrfatod? wow O ce fs NZI Pik mn “#4 > ‘1 ayvratat gta. hee eit t ri 'y of owt nod o eiotavtiion disiw dofy . ' f I ( os : ty * fei] ‘ ’ at ertirt Irro te. eiitsl wol efow or. v mo ft90%0 beolktocartq ed 3 i yoos ctifsiwig ¥ mise oO, 12 yiatoq io 3 et if: ‘cools oltist ent ‘soqie fs (aur lem Foo, at Aaukh of ‘scum tloe wb e:itaspm “heStlio 30 ware Py. vie tal bomreves; va Sites yt h mta to emt Tato: etworn sf wontn ent » 20°: lows! doa bee ~IOMEOL § kris Ili ed 4 co daata Oofotod wot re eef ec tird re Ly pie Hl (< t ftw b 80 are desired early they should be planted as early in the spring as the soil will permit, on light, warm soil. When late potatoes are desired they may be planted as late as the middle of June, provided the supply of moisture is contimuous and ample, but in sections where the summer rain- fall is slight the earlier all crops of potatoes are planted the better. De There are several methods of planting potatoese On @ small soale the most satisfactory method is to drop and press the seed in the bottoms of furrows made by a plow or single shovel and cover them with a plow, single shovel, or harrowe The horse planter is satisfactory when large areas are planted. 106 The amount of seed to use and distance apart should depend upon the fertility of the land and supply of mois- turee Rich soil with a contimuous and ample supply of moisture should receive more seed and the hills should be closer together than on soil lacking one or both of the above characteristics. lle The size of the seed piece should be uniform, regard- less of the number of eyes. 126 The depth to plant depends upon the texture of the soil and whether early or late potatoes are desired. Five ole yet) elitse begat eto . ‘is mt) etiimteg iltw Lloa ed? as a bottalt o ye vywtt borteeb era seodeih: at ovutul gin + \solvotq erst lo efBi @-tlat no pum f i avriioos nf tu. .oigma baa sep ‘mai? ta woolstog 1.6 aqoao iia tetinuwe edd Saghio r. etozL Sts qorh of wf Lodtos yiodoz .oltea Jeoa eft elaeg. i 9 3fq c¢ Yi ooam .wowrw 9 agosso. oft at been ent . Yuin ofgctte gvwolq 6 iitlw aot asvoo bus Leveds tedw yyolosieliaa «tf rwelaslq oeton edd ower: eboinalqd our in tiaga oonmateih bus oss of Dea 19 Javoms edi -ulo- to qiqqua base lasf wit to yttiti1e) ed? aoge to viqidue olqee Sra nvoutivoo s itlw Ltos de&g ej bivote efitd ott bia beea otom ovtooer biveda @& ~it io dtoi 10 ato yitvos. [tos ao asd sedseges oun ttaltesoamtado -riajet g@ioitay et bliuodsa sletq beoa ef’ to ogltea efi -89Y° io todaue off 9 et lo etutxet ol} moqu abaeqed ftaeiq od dtqeb emf avi’ .hettneb eta seotatog efal to ¢i180 tedzete Bt esto piog iitmiiq ‘to ebaltem (etevesa eta eteet. Gl inches is none too deep for the late crop, on light, mellow soils, but three or four inches is better for very early potatoes. Five inches is too deep on very heavy or very moist soil. l3e New potatoes can be got earlier by allowing the seed to sprout in strong light before planting. 14¢ A poor stand may be due (1) to the heating of seed after cutting, if sacked or piled up for more than six hours; (2) to diseased seed; (3) to planting early in wet, cold soil; (4) to chilled seed; and (5) to late planting on soil that has dried out. (See pages 19-20). 15. There are several methods of harvesting practiced in the State. Digging by hand on small areas is most satis- factory, but for large areas the horse digger is almost indispensable. (See page 21). 16.6 Nore attention should be given to the proper grad- ing of the tubers. Well graded potatoes bring a larger price than poorly graded onese New early potatoes should be washed and packed into boxes for the best markets. 17¢ Potatoes are easy to keep in this State. They will keep in pits on well drained land if covered sufficiently to keep frost out, or in any frost=-proof, cool, moist, but *' a4 Ff et + eid to’? ceeb J onto 8 re ti sin ts sestt Got gee erry rar ye) ; reries- Ww ry i sor nt evra e2100ta3 -[loa de. j ‘iwo. m yo toklase to, ed mao eceotatog @ e itd.talq utote, Ingll j;torde at suosgE oom 1.0 \ithteor ett 03 (Ll) eb >) yaa baste se0g x’. meat oto to? qu hbeliq to hevoae If eymkes - mi vftoo ywiltnala of (5) thoes beazoatb of (8 2 is Pires pbeoe boli ido of (+) glee b. (Ove DL aorrug oat elvo beltb saat tad? iloa ae. t noottoatg jatteeviat o aboite s Llatevou ef e889 - entian jnom et sac ts /Leno oo bia yi antayl® 0@' -- fuonfa si teg4tb sated ot czow egtei tod de , ei i" 0.449 eot} esidas: eheig teqortq ed? of aevi; eo bivoda nolinetia es togtal a «waitd asosetoq bebat, [lew eatodsd? efi bivorin seotasog y{ts0 well .aento behaty ~l100g gaa entowttam Seed oft tot sexod oJa! besioaq bra B [ibe yer? eesat atdt al qeod oF yose o18 a0osag Yitaetol iva berevoo if basf bontaib [low no atly Sard efatom ,fooo0 elovigqesasri yra at 19 gtvo tage? ~ és 82 not wet storagee (See page 25.) 166 The potato is one of the best crops to grow as a substitute for summer-fallow. The weeds are killed and the soil is left in the best condition for wheat. 196 Enormous yields of potatoes can be secured under irrigation, provided the moisture in the soil is uniform and continuous. 20 « All samples of seed of a given variety are not of equal valuee A person should have an ideal in mind when selecting a warlety. (See page 32). Lle The following varieties produce new potatoes early and mature early in the season!-—-"Lewis", New Queen, Peck's Early, Pride of the South, "Lawrence", Irish Cobbler, Early Chio, White Ohio, Six Weeks, New Early Standard, King of hichigan, New Century, White Star, Early Thoroughbred, New Climax, and Early Rose. 22. The following varieties produce new potatoes early and mature in early September: Sweet Home, Champion of the World, Early Excelsior, Rural Red, Crine's Lightning, White Victor, Early Hamilton and White Rose. - MI uG@a) ooge J oid ied ott 12 efo af odade . “ j 'T otf. \ eo" =tontave tel . - ia) o; off at Stel ©: . yim war, @, FEOao Hela hog to abioly aun . ' sty it ch @9trtatow a? Lebl vorrg eras p e&ifa te “Ytefuay Mav. £ to beea 10 nelqna . ml iari ld tte sven biyona mtoatreg Ae eo lu 4a ool, eYioltayv - rlase avotet +4 won etsrburg acttelasv iunttwoilo e wet vo. ¢‘sliwe.! Yiva.. we. ,at@edw ale old) esl. gold) win e ” ,* ‘eettosavn ult at yliae (Ti g “OUMteTwaeu” etituo. eit 10 eblbsg «¥ . eteati efidd qytisined woil gmxldoli io gmk , yluac seotaiog wom souvoig soltolsav gntwoil e@aot yito. ote ,