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THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



pose, since it will necessitate two inspections of the growing crop and one inspection 

 after digging by an official especially trained in potato-disease identification. 



The first inspection of the growing crop is made at bloom-time. Any field which 

 is entered for inspection and contains more than a certain percentage of disease or 

 varietal mixture .at this inspection is rejected and at once considered unfit for seed. 

 However, should it pass this inspection, then it is eligible for the second field inspec- 

 tion, which is made just prior to maturity. This inspection is necessary in order to 

 detect any diseases which may have developed since the first inspection. Such dis- 

 eases may be Rliizoctonia, wilt, or late blight. Provided a crop has passed the field 

 inspections satisfactorily, then it is eligible for the tuber inspection. Here again 

 the crop must reach a certain standard in the tubers; if it does not it is rejected, 

 no matter how good the growing crop .appeared. The standard for tuber inspection 

 will not allow more than a certain percentage of disease. Potatoes must be reason- 

 ably true as regards type, uniformity, and colour, and of good general appearance. 

 Also the crop must be graded so that potatoes are no larger than 12 oz. or smaller 

 than 2 oz. in weight. 



Fig. 13. Healthy seed-potatoes (original). 



Any crop which passes the three inspections satisfactorily to the inspector will 

 be classed as Grade No. 1 certified seed-potatoes, and each sack for sale will have a 

 suitable tag attached by the inspector, upon which will be stamped the name and 

 address of grower, together with the name of the variety. 



Purchasers of certified seed should be willing and ready to pay at least $1 per 

 sack more for such seed than for table stock. They will even then be doubly repaid 

 for such a policy. 



Certified potato-seed production is already being carried on in all the chief 

 potato-producing States, and also in some of our own Provinces, because there is a 

 great demand for good', vigorous seed stock free of disease. It is a well-known fact 

 that yield may be very greatly reduced, besides lowering the quality, if diseases are 

 allowed to accumulate. 



