Proceedings of Seventeenth Xokmal Institute 247 



By fairly close planting we have found it very easy to avoid 

 the overgrown potato. On some of the poorer potato soils we 

 find it necessary to plant farther apart in order to insure suffi- 

 cient size. 



The maximum amount of disease that should be tolerated in 

 certified seed potatoes is a matter that has not been definitely 

 decided upon in this state. At the present time definite plans 

 are being made for the establishment of the standard to be used 

 in the certification work. In my judgment, this is one of the most 

 important things that the j^otato growers of this state have under- 

 taken. After we once have this standard worked out and adopted, 

 it will be possible to turn out a uniform article from the different 

 potato-growing sections of the state. 



Personally, I am desirous of a high standard. Still, I think it 

 is of the utmost importance that the standard for certification be 

 low enough at the start so that the best potato growers will be able 

 to qualify within a comparatively short time — say one or two 

 years. I think I can see where there would be great danger of 

 having the standard so high that it would be possible for a farmer 

 only here and there to produce seed potatoes that would be 

 accepted as certified. From year to year it will be possible, un- 

 doubtedly, to raise the standard by decreasing the maximum 

 amount of minor potato diseases that will be tolerated. 



Although a few states of the more important potato-growing 

 sections have adopted plans for certification work, it seems best at 

 this time for the State Potato Growers' Association to undertake 

 this w^ork until we know definitely the standard that should be 

 set and m.aintained. After this standard is once recognized to be 

 the ideal standard, then the state department of agriculture can 

 be of the utmost assistance in carrying it out. I think by working 

 through the State Potato Association we will be able to relieve 

 the state department of much experimental work in arriving at 

 the proper standard. 



There is no phase of the potato-growing industry that looks 

 more favorable at the present time than the production of stand- 

 ardized seed. The same thing undoubtedly will hold true with 

 table stock just as soon as both the producer and consumer realize 

 the importance of putting upon the market a standardized article. 



