Proceedings of Seventeenth Xormal Institute 2!1 



unofficial system of inspection and certification. With experience 

 as a guide it will be possible, when a. law is finally enacted, to 

 avoid some mistakes which are sure to be made if a state inspec- 

 tion and certification should be established at once. 



At its last annual meeting the ISTew York State Potato Associa- 

 tion took up the matter and referred it to a committee of three 

 consisting of Mr. F. A. Sirrine, Mr. C. B. Tillson and the writer. 

 This committee has not yet completed its labors and is not pre- 

 pared to make a full report, but will probably recommend a 

 method of procedure essentially as follows : The New York State 

 Potato Association, through its president and secretary, will issue 

 certificates of inspection upon the recommendation of ofiicial in- 

 spectors of the association. The ofiicial inspectors are to be ap- 

 pointed by the president of the association upon the recommenda- 

 tion of the Department of Plant Pathology of the State College of 

 Agriculture. The salaries and expenses of inspectors are to be 

 paid by the association. A tax sufiicient to cover the expense of 

 inspection and certification will be levied upon the growers and 

 dealers to whom certificates are- issued. The time and manner of 

 inspection are to be prescribed by the association through its Com- 

 mittee on Inspection and Certification. It will be necessary to 

 make at least two field inspections — one at blooming time, the 

 other near the close of the season. A third inspection, at digging 

 time or after the tubers have been placed in storage, will be 

 necessary in some cases. 



Each certificate issued should bear a serial number, and all the 

 potatoes shipped under a certificate should be bagged at the car in 

 new bags holding 165 pounds. Each bag should have attached to 

 it, when filled, a shipping tag bearing the certificate number, the 

 name of the variety and the words, " Certified Seed: ISTew York 

 State Potato Association." On the reverse side of the tag should 

 appear the name of the local association or dealer shipping the 

 seed ; and the grower's name may also appear if he desires it. 

 Certificates may be revoked by the association at its discretion. 

 A grower or dealer making improper use of his certificate should 

 be promptly punished by the revocation of his certificate for 

 the year. 



