218 



Twenty-Second Annual Report of the 



STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



POTATO INSPECTION SERVICE 



Instructions to Inspectors Recommending the Treatment of Potatoes for Powdery 



Scab 



1. Soak the uncut seed 1% hours in a solution of corrosive sublimate, 2 oz. to 

 15 gallons of water. The solution may be prepared by dissolving the sublimate in 

 a small quantity of hot water to facilitate solution, whereupon it may be diluted 

 to the required strength. Not less than 1% hours should be allowed for soaking 

 nor more than 2 hours. This solution is good only for 4 treatments. 



2. Caution the individual concerning the poisonous nature of the material and 

 the necessary use of wooden or earthen vessels for containers. Warn him about 

 the re-use of such vessels. Spread seed to dry after treatment. 



3. In all cases where possible aid the party in the actual preparation of the 

 solution, and give demonstrations for the treatment. Be in a position to recom- 

 mend sources of supply for purchasing the sublimate. It is not expected that you 

 will be able to demonstrate in every case, but select in each community some party 

 centrally located who will be in a position to let his neighbors profit by it. 



4. Recommend in every case that new seed be purchased. If the per cent, of 

 powdery scab runs higher than iy 2 per cent, require new seed to be purchased. 

 In the case of parties practicing hill selection or those too poor to buy new seed 

 without serious detriment, and providing the per cent, of powdery scab does not 

 exceed 1% per cent., their own seed may be used for treatment, but it is necessary 

 for the inspector to examine almost every potato to see that it is free from 

 blemish of any description. 



5. Instruct that cut seed be rolled in flowers of sulphur. 



6. Leave one of these copies with each farmer and see, in addition, that he has 

 a copy of Circular 111. Underscore, in this bulletin, the paragraph relative to 

 the treatment of seed and the measures for cleaning tools and storage places. 

 Caution as to the re-contamination of seed after treatment. 



7. In addition, give information relative to the uses of sun sprouting, hill selec- 

 tion according to one of the numerous methods discussed, Common Scab, Rhizoctonia, 

 Wire Worms, and White Grubs, and the effects of alkaline fertilizers, according to 

 the ability of the party to absorb the information. Report at the end of each 

 week the progress you have made. 



H. C. SANDS, Inspector in Charge, 



Potato Inspection Service. 

 To be left with the grower. 



It is to be noted that these inspectors had had little or no experience' in 

 potato matters heretofore, and furthermore, that there were no men on the 

 force who had much more. For this reason the inspector-in-charge found it 

 necessary to first impart the necessary knowledge to the inspector, who in 

 turn gave it to the grower. The activities of the Department had been con- 

 fined to diseases and insects affecting nursery stock, so that this was an en- 

 tirely new field of work. 



The force was considerably hampered in the matter of transportation. In 

 general, no automobile charges could be incurred owing to the ruling of the 

 Comptroller. The only exception to this was permitted in the case of Mr. 

 Bosworth, who was able by reason of this to cover the ground quickly. Mr. 

 Hadley was dependent upon a horse. This mode of travel was entirely in- 

 adequate because of the distances. Often individual growers were isolated and 

 it required a day's travel to reach them. Again, it took considerable time 

 to locate the various cases, since the inspectors did not know exactly where 

 the growers lived. The second visit was made with little loss of time on 

 this account. 



