SUGGESTIONb TO POTATO GROW K.ES ON THRHiATED LANDS. 5 



After careful observations of the l)eliavi(ti- of the ( ro[) on irrigated 

 soils, particiilarl}' on those of a retentive nature, it is believed that 

 more satisfactorv results will be obtained bv following a somewhat 

 modified rotation in wjiich the leouniinous crop is plowed under 

 for a cereal crop, such as corn, which is given clean cidtivation, 

 and the cereal cro]) is followed by the potato crop. If corn is 

 not grown in sufficient quantity to bear this relation to the rotation, 

 oat or Avheat stubble might be used instead. The decaying organic 

 matter produced by jjlowing under alfalfa or clover would then be 

 removed far enough from the potato croji to allow complete decom- 

 position of the organic inattei- and a slight AvithdraAval of nitrogen 

 by the cereal croj). 



On some of the lands where the alfalfa-potato rotation has been 

 carried on for a number of years, the growers sa}^ that it is necessary 

 to raise a crop of sugar beets from time to time when the land gets 

 too ri.'h for potatoes. It is believed that this observation is very 

 pertinent to the success of the potato indnstry in the irrigated section 

 and, although alfalfa must always form the main cro[) of any rota- 

 tion system in this region, a greater i]se of cereals, particularly corn, 

 would pro\e an advantage in connection with ]iotato culture. 



UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN 1911. 



The condition.-! which have prevaihnl in western Xebraska and 

 northeastern Colorado during the last crop season have been such 

 as to induce very extraordinary behavioi- on the part of the potato 

 l)iant. The hot. diy Aveather wliich occurred early in the season 

 tended to weaken the jootato plants and make them backward in the 

 jiroduction of tubers. The delay in in-igation until the plants 

 showed signs of decided need of water produced a check in the 

 plants. When the Avater Avas ai)plied it brought about conditions 

 unfavorable for the growth of the potatoes, but A'ery favorable to 

 the development of di.sea.se. Diseases Avhich are usually present, but 

 which only manifest themselves later in the sea.son. Avere during the 

 present year moved forwai'd to sucli an extent tliat instead of lessen- 

 ing the crop to a very slight extent, as is the usual occurrence, they 

 came early enough to practically pi-event the development of the 

 crop. 



If normal conditions obtain next season, it is not likely that there 

 will be a recurrence of the troubles Avhicli haA'c caused so nuich loss 

 during the present year. It is belicA'-ed. hoAveA-er. that should the 

 season of 1012 prove to be a repetition of that of UU 1 the aboA'e 

 precautionary suggestions, if carefully folloAved. Avill in a great 

 measure serve to overcome losses. 



[Cir. nO] 



