304 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



The CHAIKMAN: Next thing in order is from Section B program, 

 and we will now hear from Mr. Alva Agee on "Potato Culture." 



Mr. Agee addressed the Institute as follows: 



POTATO CULTURE. 



Br Mr. Alva agee, Wooster, Ohio. 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: The first point I want to 

 make on potato culture this afternoon is, that I am very glad to be 

 back in Pennsylvania to meet the institute workers. When I left 

 the State two years ago and attended the institutes of some ad- 

 joining states that year, I really had that homesick feeling that 

 comes to a man who has left those he feels he knows best, but the 

 past week away from home has been a week of enjoyment with the 

 old workers and associates from Pennsylvania. 



Now, friends, to come directly to the work, in order that these 

 few minutes might be of use to us who go before the farmers de- 

 siring to help them to improve their opportunities, I do not pro- 

 pose to take up all the points in potato culture, nor shall I try to 

 present one person's views with the thought that I can teach you 

 men in Pennsylvania, but I shall rather dwell on just a few points 

 — points on which possibly we might disagree in our teaching if 

 we did not confer here together, and all arrive at that form of state- 

 ment that will give to our teaching, force. 



I call your attention to the fact that the Northwestern states are 

 raising too great a proportion of the potatoes of the country. That 

 would not interest us if it were not that potatoes are a profitable 

 crop wherever you can get a fair yield and average prices. It is 

 for us institute workers to try and teach our Eastern farmers 

 to grow all we have a right to grow that can be profitably grown. 



The first thing is to put the soil in good physicial condition. We 

 have learned that. We have learned that it can be readily put 

 into condition so that potatoes can be grown with profit. You want 

 that soil fairly loose in order that the potato can properly develop 

 in it, and one that will hold moisture, and when we fill it with vege- 

 table fibre, we have conditions for the control of moisture that 

 enable the potato to make its best growth. I have been taught 



