OCR Text |
Show Methods Given For Treating Potatoes For Planting By J. C. Hogenson, -U. S. A. C. Extension Agronomist As the time approaches for planting plant-ing potatoes, it is well to consider how best to handle the seed. All seed potatoes to be planted should first be treated for the external potato diseases. This is done by soaking the seed either in a solution consisting of four ounces of corrosive sublimate to 30 gallons of water, from one to one and one-half hours; or by using us-ing two pints of formalin and 30 gallons of water, kept at a temperature tem-perature between 121 degrees F. and 126 degrees F. and soaking the seed in it for three minutes. After the treatment has been completed, the potatoes should be cut and planted. If the seedbed has been thoroughly prepared so that the ground is moderately moist, best results are secured by planting the seed as soon after it is cut as possible. It will then callus cal-lus over in 48 hours in the soil and begin to grow. If the seed bed is rather dry and rough then best results may be secured by cutting the seed and allowing it to callus over before planting. The cut seed should, however, never be allowed to lie in direct sunlight because it withers and loses vitality; but it should be spread out in a moist, shady place for two or three days. It always pays, however, to have the seedbed well prepared and moist before planting. |