POTATO FAILURES. 
13 
Formalin Treatment. Formalin is sold in the form of 
a liquid at about fifty cents a pint. It is a little more 
expensive than corrosive sublimate but has the advantage 
of not being poisonous, comes in form of a liquid, and 
can be used in any kind of a vessel. The solution is made 
by adding one half-pint of formalin to fifteen gallons of 
water. The tubers are placed in this solution for two hours. 
This treatment does not retard the sprouting of the tubers, 
and it may be used at any convenient time before planting. 
If the tubers are treated during the winter, they should be 
dried and carefully stored avoiding all danger of reinfection 
from infected sacks- and bins. The solution loses strength 
on standing, and must be kept in a closed receptacle if it 
is to be used a number of times. It is probably not best to 
use the solution for more than four successive treatments. 
FORMULA. 
Formalin. 8 ounces (I pint.) 
Water. 15 gallons. 
Soak Potatoes... 2 hours. 
Keeping Seed Potatoes. It is evident that the success of 
the potato crop depends much upon the vigor and condi¬ 
tion of the seed potatoes. Some growers have adopted the 
following practice with excellent results: When the pota¬ 
toes are dug, those which are to be used for seed are stored 
in a dry, dark shed or barn until about the 10th of Novem¬ 
ber. Just before freezing weather sets in, the potatoes are 
carefully sorted, and those which show the slightest signs of 
decay are rejected. A layer of straw from eight to ten 
inches thick is spread on the ground and the tubers placed 
upon this straw. The piles should not be made too large. 
The best resuits are usually obtained from mounds three 
feet wide at the base and piled up in ridges as high as con¬ 
venient. A covering of straw is placed over the potatoes, 
and this is followed by a layer of soil from six to eight 
inches thick, but before severe weather sets in more soil is 
added, and when the severest weather is at hand, more 
straw, or strawy barn manure is added. The aim is to cover 
gradually as the cold increases. This method of storing 
potatoes seems to winter them much better for seed than 
when they are placed in root cellars, or when they are stor¬ 
ed in mounds immediately after they are dug. About the 
last of April they are taken from the pit and again stored 
in a dark shed or barn until about ten days before planting¬ 
time when they are treated with corrosive sublimate, as 
given in formula on page 12. After this treatment they 
are placed where they will be freely exposed to the sun. 
Seed should not be cut until shortly before planting. If 
