416 FARM AND SCHOOL PROBLEMS. 



The average acre yield of potatoes in both Great Britain and 

 Germany is 200 bushels. If the production in the United States 

 is only half as great there must be some important causes for 

 this difference in production. 



A study of potato production in Europe has demonstrated 

 the fact that if we are to improve and increase our production 

 in the United States we must adopt some of the following 

 measures: 



1. More attention must be paid to quality and quantity of seed. 



2. There should be a differentiation of the potato industry into seed 

 and crop-specialists. 



3. We must use pure seed from productive varieties. 



4. Seed must be uniform in size and shape, firm and sound. 



5. The sprouts should just begin to show at planting time. 



6. Select seed tubers from strong productive plants. 



7. Seed potatoes should not be over-ripe. 



8. Use a liberal amount of seed. 



FOR TREATMENT OF POTATO SCAB. 



Use the following: 



Mi* one pint formalin (which can be purchased at the drug store) 

 with 30 gallons of water. Spread the seed potatoes out about 6 inches deep 

 and sprinkle them till they are wet with the mixture. Cover the heap 

 with bags or old covers of any sort in order to keep the gas among the 

 potatoes as long as possible. This penetrating gas kills the germs of the 

 scab. Leave the heap covered over night. In the morning the potatoes 

 are ready to cut. Treat the potatoes for scab before cutting, whether 

 they are scabby or not. Do not take chances. 



DEMONSTRATION. 



If you are planting potatoes affected with scab, plant two 

 rows side by side; one treated with formalin and one untreated 

 and note results when the potatoes are dug. 



Try growing some potatoes on a plat, using home-mixed com- 

 mercial fertilizers as follows : Nitrate of Soda, 25 pounds ; Acid 

 Phosphate, 50 pounds; Sulphate of Potash, 25 pounds. Use 10 

 pounds of this mixture to 10 square feet of soil. Prepare the fur- 

 rows for the tubers; spread the fertilizer in the furrow and 

 work into the soil and cover lightly. 



