xt7d251fkn9r https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7d251fkn9r/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1932 journals kaes_circulars_202_02 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 202 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 202 1932 2014 true xt7d251fkn9r section xt7d251fkn9r COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Extension Division
THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean and Director.
CIRCULAR NO. 202
(REVISED)
POTATO GROWING IN KENTUCKY
Lexington, Ky.
February, 1932.
Published in connection with the agricultural extension work carried
011 by cooperation of the College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky.
with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and distributed in further-
ance of the work provided for in the Act of Congress of May S, 1914.

 
 CONTENTS
_ Page
sgi} and soil management ....,...............v..........................................`._,,__,__A____ 6
Humus ..................................................................,................................... 6
Green-manure crops ..........A.....................>..........,,......`..............__..,._,_,_, 7
Breaking the ground .........A..,»,.....AA...................................`.................._. 8
Manures and fertilizers ................................................................................ 8
Nitrogen .......................................,...................,..................................,,.... S
Phosphorus .........,......................................,......i.......i.............................. 9
Potassium ..>.............................................i..........».........................._......... 10
Amount of fertilizer to use ....,,................................_..,...i.......,_..,._....._ 11
How to apply fertilizer .......................,.....,.........,........_.._..______._,,_4i._..._, 11
Seed .......................................................................................»..................,......... 12
Certified seed ..................,»................................»....._....,.....i................._.o 13
Maintaining good seed .,.....................,.......................... Q ......................... 13
Treating the seed ........................r.r . .........,....................,..........,..,......_....,...__. 14
"Sta.nda1·d" corrosive sublimate treatment .,........,................,.r,....... 15
"Quick-dip" corrosive sublimate treatment ...................t................ 16
Commercial treating compounds .....,....r....,..,.......,....................,........ 17
Cutting the seed .r.................r.............,..............................,.............t..r.....,...... 17
Planting .............___...,.......................,...._.,,__,,.__...,....................................,.,.r.... 18
Planting distances .....__................._..................,............,,.........,.............. 21
Planting depth ...................................................,....................r.............i. 21
Amount of seed per acre ..,........,...............................,..................r......... 21
Planting time ....___r.___._______.,,,,__...,,_.___.._,,_.._,___..,,.............,..._....,............. 22
Cultivation ,,,,,_____,_.._._._____________,,_______,,,,___,,______r__,,,,,____,__,_____,_,,,__..,_,__...,_.,.__.,.. 22
Digging ...................____,.,,_,__,_______,______,_,,_________,,_,_r_,,___,,,___,____,_.___.._,,__,__.,._,_,,._._ 22
Insects .........,...__....,....____,,_,__,_....________...________________,____,_____________r___,_____r___,________,__ 25
Colorado beetle, blister beetle, tobacco worm and cabbage
worm .tt............,..........................................,...........................,........... 25
Black fleabeetle .................................................i.................................... 25
Cutworms and army worms. ................................................................ 25
Plant lice ........................,......................................................................... 26
Leaf hopper and white fly .......,............................................................ 26
Diseases ..........r...............................r..t.r..........,,.............i................................. . 26
Mosaic ............................................................................................ . ........... 27
Leaf roll ....._............,..,.......................................................l.................   27
Spindle tuner- ..............,............,..r........................................................... 27
General control for the running—out diseases .............................. 27
Scab ....,_........,,r....___..r.....,,........,...........,.................,l............................l.... . 28
Rhizoctonia stem rot and black scurf ..................,t........................l... 28

 CONTENTS—Ccntinued.
Page
Spraying ..,..,................................................,.................... . ,,,. . ........................... 30
Making Bordeaux mixture ,............. . .....`..................................`.................. 32
Dusting ....,.................,.........................................................................¤............. 33
Copper-lime dust ......A.................A.i......................................`..,..........,.... 33
Spraying and dusting programs .............................`....... t ........A................... 35
Spraying program for early potatoes .............................................___________ 35
Spraying program for late potatoes ......................................__.,___,_,__________ 36
Dusting program for early potatoes .,...»........,.,...............l.l.........,....__.__,___ 36
Dusting program for late potatoes .......,. .. ..................._,.,._........._._.___l_,_____ 37
The early varieties ............l..............l.........,......,,._,_______._.l__________ _ ___________________ 37
The late varieties ..._____._,____,.______________,___________ _ ___,_________v_____________________ _ ____________ gg
Storage .......»»......»...........A.....,...................l,.............,.....,....._.,___.._,____ _ _______________ 40
Black-leg ..........l.......l_..__..._..........____l_____,__________________________ _ ________________________ gg
Wilt .......l.......,...l..........,..l_,____l____,_______,.,_____ _ ______________________________ _ _______________ 30
Blight ...............l...»..................................................l.4.....,____________ _ ____________ 30

 age
30 CIRCULAR NO. 202
32 (nevisiao)
33
33 —————
35 _ _
35 Potato Growing m Kentucky
36 By JOHN s. GARDNER
36 ‘
37 1*
37
gg The potato is one of the most important food crops grown
40 in Kentucky. In some parts of the state potatoes constitute a
29 valuable cash crop and every year many carloads are shipped
gg into surrounding states. Thruout the state, in localities where
the industry is not developed sufficiently for shipping, many
potatoes are grown for local market. Besides, most farmers and
gardeners raise potatoes for their own use. Notwithstanding,
Kentucky is a "consumer" potato state and thousands of
bushels of potatoes are shipped in annually.
Altho Kentucky lies outside the so-called "potato belt",
more potatoes could be grown here. While it is true that Ken-
tucky growers may not be able to compete successfully with the
northern states in growing the "inain" crop, there is a season
between the early southern crop and the fall northern crop
when Kentucky spring-planted potatoes may be marketed satis-
factorily. Kentucky "iirst—crop" potatoes have an enviable
reputation for high quality.
The geographical. location of the state makes possible the
production of a "second crop" of early varieties grown from
seed that has been kept in cold storage until the time of plant-
ing, in late July or early August. These potatoes. aieusea
mainly for seed. Many growers prefer them to thoselproduced
farther north, because they are dug when immature and are
more easily kept in planting condition. The production of
“Scc0nd—crop" seed potatoes is insufficient to supply the local
demand.

 6 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. 202
Besides the second crop, Kentucky produces winter potatoes th(
of late varieties, the seed for which may be kept in ordinary po
storage until planting time in June or July. Altho these
potatoes are produced mainly for the home supply, some of the ac]
varieties move quite freely on local markets. An increased pro- in,
duction of these "late-crop’{ potatoes in many Kentucky locali- SB;
tics would be desirable. fo:
SOIL AND SOIL MANAGEMENT gl
The best "potato land" is sandy loam, but potatoes can be let
grown in any soil that is capable of holding sufficient moisture, ha
and is loose enough to permit the formation of shapely tubers. C0
The character of the subsoil is important. lt must be well
drained, for potatoes cannot thrive in waterlogged soil. On the cr
other hand, the subsoil should not be so open and porous as to su
interfere with its moisture-holding capacity. This is always in
important, but particularly so in dry seasons. Tl
Humus. Because moisture plays such an important part in
the production of profitable yields of potatoes, and because the
humus content of soil is an important factor in determining its be
water-holding capacity, the maintenance of the humus supply is
important in the management of potato land. \Vhen potatoes *0
are grown in a rotation that includes grasses or, preferably,
clover, the humus content is maintained sufficiently, so far as
moisture is concerned. When, however, the crops that leave suf-
ficient organic matter in the soil must be omitted, because of the u`
high price of land or restricted acreage, other means must be m
used to supply this essential. These include the application of Sl
stable manure or the turning under of green-manure crops H
grown between seasons. d
Stable manure is not always to be recommended as a source E
of humus. Applied fresh, immediately before the crop, it may
increase scab. On the other hand, to use it composted is waste- t,
ful because plant food may be lost in composting. Nevertheless, b
if a. gardener wants to keep his land fully occup.ied with crops I,
more remunerative than green material to be turned under, yy

 Potato Growing in Kentucky 7
there is nothing better than manure for putting humus into
potato land. This is true particularly of land for early potatoes.
Green-Manure Crops. For the grower who has a large
acreage, green-manure crops afford an elfective means for build-
ing up a humus supply. Green-manure crops grown between
seasons not only furnish the cheapest and most easily applied
form of humus, but their use minimizes the loss of plant food
thru leaching, lessens the danger of winter soil-washing and has
a corrective effect on land infested with potato scab. Because
leguminous and non-leguminous cover crops are available, both
hardy and tender, a range of choice wide enough to meet any
conditions is offered.
On land to be used for first-crop potatoes, the green-manure
crop should be sown early in the fall, so that it will have made
sufficient growth by the time the land is to be plowed, usually
in February. The following green-manure crops are satisfactory.
The rate of seeding is for one acre: ‘ ‘
Hairy vetch, 1 bushel, sown August 1 to September 1.
Hairy vetch, 30 lbs. and rye 1 bushel, sown August 1 to Septem-
ber 15.
Crimson clover, 10 lbs. and hairy vetch, 30 lbs., sown August 1
to 15.
Rye, 2 bushels, sown as late as October 15.
Green-manure crops to be used on late potato land need
not be turned under until late spring. Hence, they may be sown
much later than those for early potato land. .In fact, their
sowing may be delayed with a fair chance of success until after
the harvesting of the late potato crop. If potato digging is
delayed until after November 1, however, it is better to wait
until the following spring and then sow: Oats, 1 bushel, and
Canada field peas, % bushel, per acre.
The best time to plow under rye or oats is when they begin
to head. Clover or vetch should be turned under when in full.
bloom. lf breaking is delayed beyond this time, droughty land
may result, because of the woody and strawy growth these;
manure crops make in their later stages.

 8 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. 202
Breaking the Ground. The variation in seasonal conditions
in Kentucky is such that no fixed time for breaking ground can
be stated to apply everywhere within the state. However, since ‘
a sod or cover crop must be partially decayed before it ca11 1
supply humus or plant food, it must be turned u11der in time (
for this change to take place. Usually, fall breaking or winter *
breaking is best for early potato land, especially if the soil is I
heavy; for the late crop, late spring breaking is recommended. “
‘ It is good practis to disk the land thoroly before breaking it,  
whether there is any plant growth to turn under or not. Thus, 1
a deep, well-pulverized seedbed is assured. The depth of break-
ing is governed by the depth of the top soil, it is not wise to turn 0
up more than one inch of subsoil a year. Subsoiling is beneficial I
in dense subsoils, but if the subsoil is gravelly or shaly it had 9
best be left undisturbed. l`
la
MANURES AND FERTILIZERS ll
A large crop of potatoes removes so much plant food from li
the soil as to make the cost of fertilizing one-fourth to one-half li
the cash expense of producing the crop. Because the price ot`  
potatoes is variable, fertilizing must be done judieiously. All lll
tl1ree of the plant food elements, nitrogen, phosphorus, and ll
potassium are needed. From demonstrations conducted under U
a variety of conditions, it appears that a good ratio generally H
to be recommended is 1-2-1. Usually, a 5-10-5 formula is satis-
factory; that is, 5 percent of nitrogen, 10 percent of phosphoric
acid, and 5 percent of potash. This general recommendation
may be modified, however, depending on what crops were grown
previously and on whether stable manure is to be used in con-
junction with the fertilizer, and whether the green-manure crop
includes a legume or not. Specific cases will be taken up later. 1,,
Nitrogen. Nitrogenous fertilizers should be used eau- S,
tiously, because an excess of nitrogen causes rank top growth _ S],
and light setting of tubers. On the other hand, prompt and U,
vigorous plant growth is necessary to produce a heavy yield of UX
potatoes, and such growth is obtained mainly thru an adequate ),
supply of nitrogen. l 4 . :,0

 Polato G/·o21.·1`1zg in Kcnluchvy 9
0nS
can A sod, top dressed with 111a11Ul‘e, or a cover crop of legumes,
DCE Contains enough nitrogen for a heavy crop of potatoes, but this
can nitrogen must first become available thru the rotting of the
me orgaiiic matter. For the early crop these sources of nitrogen
ter are not dependable, so l'(‘COll}'S€ must he had to the use of com-
js mercial fertilizers. ln the instance of late potatoes, partial
Od. decay of the lll2lllll1'€ or legflllllc will have taken place and some
it, of the nitrogen will have become useful. to the crop. Even then,
us) it is often wise to apply some commercial nitrogen,
ik- Nitrate of soda. sulfate of ammonia, and tankage are the
rn carriers of nitrogen most commonly used in potato fertilizers.
ial Each has its particular value. 'l`he first two are readily soluble,
atl even in a cool season, and assure early growth; tankage releases
its nitrogen somewhat more slowly, but it is valuable for the
later growth of the crop. The continued use of nitrate of soda
in short rotations llltly cause the soil to become alkaline enough
m to increase seal) (see p. 28), whereas sulfate of annnonia may
lf make it acid enough to reduce the _vield. Because of this, it is
)t. good practis for growers to specify such percentages of these
H ingretlients. in ('()llllll.(‘l‘Lfl2ll fertilizers, that a proper balance with
d respect to soil acidity may be maintained. .\SSllllllllg that. a ton
T of fertilizer contains 5 percent of nitrogen. the nitrogen carriers
V may be proportioned as follows:
l' 250 lbs of nitrate of soda ( 40 lbs. of nitrogen, or 2%)
0 200 lbs. of sulfate of ammonia ( 40 lbs. of nitrogen, or 2%)
q 350 lbs. of tankage ( 20 lbs. of nitrogen, or 1%)
_ 800 lbs. (100 lbs. 5%)
) l’/zospfoorus. Potatoes need phosphorus. l’hosphorus serves
’ to induce maturity, a11d plays a large part in the formation of
` starch. Because the growing period of the potato is relatively
· short. the most. quickly available form of phosphorus should be
used; Sll])(*l'])ll()S])ll2ll(‘ is reconnnendezl. ln all parts of Kentucky
except in the Bluegrass Section. the soil is defieient in phos-
phorus, but even there it should he included in potato fertilizers
leeause of the ir1·egular distribution of the soil phosphorus.

 10 Kenltielry .Hu;!e12st0i1 C’l.l‘t"llf(l}' N0. 202
V From demonstrations thruout the state, it appears that the
proper ratio of phosphoric acid to nitrogen is 2 to 1. A fertilizer
carrying 5 pe1·cent of nitrogen should contain 10 percent of phos- Z1;]
phoric acid. A ton of such fertilizer should contain: ’ T
1000 lbs. of 20% superpliosphate, or tha
G25 lbs. of 32% superphosphate, or COD
500 lbs. of 40% superphosphate.
I’0/ussizzlii. l)0l2lSSlll]ll has several functions, but the one lfa
that most concerns a potato grower is in the formation of starch, POE
of which potatoes so largely consist. Altho the exact require- lllai
ments of a potato crop are not known, demonstrations show DON
that under average Kentucky conditions, with the humus well not
maintained, the proportions of potash and nitrogen should be mm
the same. This makes the complete fertilizer formula 5-10-5, Off
and a ton would contain 200 lbs. of muriate of potasli. Muriate
is reeommemled because of its relative cheapness, compared with fer
sulfate. Also, tests made with it in Kentucky have shown no and
advantages in yield or in quality in favor of the higher priced FEM
sulfate. lmh
Suiumiug up the l'oreg·oing. a ton of fertilizer well suited
to potatoes under average conditions can be mixed from; all l
men
250 lbs. of nitrate of soda HCI-G
200 lbs. of sulfate of ammonia }100 lbs. of nitrogen, or 5%. Mme
350 lbs. of tankage MOH
1000 lbs. ot 20% superphospliate (200 lbs. of phosphoric acid o1· 10%l. _
200 lbs. of muriate of potash (100 lbs. of potash, or 5%). Ot 5
9000 lbs. of 5-10-5 fertilizer, DOH,
_ in t
Altho grrowers may mix their potato fertilizer, following bd,)
the directions just given, they frequently {ind that the economy ,,1,,,,
in so doing is otl’set. by the time and trouble home-mixing entails best
This much is true, however, that any grower may profitably t1`§' mak
test. mixtures in which he may vary the proportions of the plant the ,
foods. nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium just. given, in order ,,,0 .
to discover a formula better suited to his individual S0ll fem
conditions. ,.m_r

 Potato Growing in Kentucky 11
1e . .
Home gardens are usually much more fertile than com-
iii mercial potato fields, hence fertilizers with analysis of 3-8-6,
S- 4-8-6, and 4-10-4 may prove adequate for use by home gardeners.
Amount of l*’c2·tiz`l»2'zer to Use. To lay down definite rules
that apply to the whole state of Kentucky is 11(Jt`, feasible, for
conditions differ so greatly, but here follow a few suggestions.
For early potatoes, grown on land top-dressed with manure,
,0 if a legume has been turned under the previous fall, 750 to 1000
h` pounds of 5-10-5 fertilizer per acre should be used. If a good
Q; planter with an efficient. fertilizer feed is used, as much as 1500
W pounds per acre llltly be used to good advantage. lf manure is
,11 not available, the fertilizer formula should be 6-10-6, but the
N amount the same as above, or a proportionately larger amount
5, of 5-10-5 1nay be used.
te For late-crop potatoes on such land, allowance may be made
;h for the nitrogen and potash in the manure and in the legume,
,0 and the percentage ot nitrogen (and perhaps of potash) in the
ed fertilizer 1nay be less. Accordingly, the reeomincndation for late
potatoes would be 500—750 pounds per acre of -1-10-4 or 4-S-6.
id lf the manure crop were simply rye, and no manure used,
all the plant food must be provided in the fertilizer. A recom-
mendation to 111eet such a case is to use 750 to 1000 pounds per
acre of 5-10-5 fertilizer. Growers who wish to use the “high
analysis" fertilizers may determine the correct 1·ate of applica-
V, tion by means of the figures in the formulas. Thus 750 pounds
of 5-10-5 fertilizer is eipiivalent to 250 pounds of 1.5-30-15.
How to Apply ]*lerfi!1`ze1·. Because the root system of the
potato is restricted, the most eifective way to apply fertilizer is
in the row, on the same level as the seed rather than above or
lg below it, but not actually touching it. The more recent potato
li planters with double fertilizer spouts, apply fertilizers in the
  best possible way. Too, their superior fertilizer feed adjustments
li} make them capable of handling the "high analysis" fertilizers,
m ll1€ uSe of which is increasing, '\\lhen planting is done by lialul,
  the procedure is to lay off the furrows with a. plow and sow the
H fertilizer by hand, mixing it with the soil in the bottom of the
furrow by dragging a chain or a wood block thru it.

 12 Ifetztueky Extclnsizm Circular N0. .902
The rate of sowing to correspond with various acre- PGI
application rates, for 36-inch rows, is; SBC,
1 lb. to 30 feet equals 500 lbs. per acre
1 lb. to 20 feet equals 750 lbs. per acre Sat
1 lb. to 15 feet equals 1000 lbs. per acre WO,
, . ,. . . . . pas
lt is not advisable to use more than l50 lbs. ot fertilizer (US,
per acre if the potatoes are to be planted by hand, because it is ,0
difficult to mix the fertilizer with the soil in such a way that bec
burning of seed pieces will not take place. mc
SEED
sta
Good seed potatoes should not be larger than l2 ounces, for is c
large potatoes cannot be cut economically into pieces of the me
proper size and shape. Moreover, if the seed pieces are so large noi
that each bears only one eye, those 1.»eat·1ug the lirst and some- tru
times even the second eye from the stem end, because of their **{_‘
low vitality, may result in missing or weak hills. On the other acc
hand, to use small tubers. planted whole, unless they are known (lm-
to be of productive stock, is to invite low yields, for small age
potatoes l’requent.ly are the progeny of diseased and weak plants. agi
The ideal seed potato weighs   ounces and should be cut into unt
four pieces. ind
Good seed potatoes should be reasonably free from scah any
(see p. 28) and black seurf (see p. 28), but even if these diseases
are present, the seed may be made safe by treating it. Even seed rat
which is apparently clean should be treated, whether purchased ste
er home-grown, to guard against the introduction or the spread the
of these diseases. me
Seed potatoes should be true to type, without "seeon unquestioned standing. (`ertified stock does not stay "certified"
indefinitely, but even in the first season it is grown it may take
¤ any of the diseases to which potatoes are subject.
t ,llI'(H·'}Zf([fliI.7Zf/ Gum! Need. Potato seed-stocks tend to degene-
l rate or "run out" because ot the sp1·ead of virus diseases unless
l steps are taken to p1·cvent it. Thus growers who wish to keep
l their yields high, practis selection in seed plats. The simplest
method is to dig tl1e best hills to use tor seed. A much better
l way to maintain seed and to improve it as well is the "tuber-
. unit" method. This consists in selecting tubers of desirable
g <·onl’ormation, quartering them. and planting them i11 such a
manner that. the hills from each seed potato may be observed
I separately. For example, the tour pieces from each tubcr may
1 be planted ltl inches apart. leaving Il feet between the groups of
  ’uber pieees. lnstead of allowing each bill to mature and using
- only appearances at digging time as a measure, each l1ill is

 14 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. .202
examined closely when it comes up, and during the season. mi
Every g·1·oup of four hills that contains a plant subnormal in be:
any way is forthwith removed, removing, as well, all the seed- .
pieces of the group, so that no opportunity is afforded for spread Su
of disease to healthy units. Records are taken at digging and tb
only the high-yielding units are retained. The tuber-unit plot, It
to be effective, should be located on another part of the farm, Us
as far as possible from other plantings of potatoes. _
A very eifeetive way to maintain high yield is the method m
used in certification. Only stock comparatively free from disease qu
is used as a beginning. The patch intended for seed is subjected ay
to close scrutiny and continuous removal of all undesirable “i
plants, and the seed pieces, whether because of disease, low vigor fo
or varietal mixture. Only the best hills remain at harvest and PO
if removal was done in time and thoroly, the percentage of
disease should be small.
The foregoing discussion refers Ollly to fall-grown potatoes.
Potatoes from the early crop of Irish Cobbler, Carman, Triumph,
and Early Ohio are not suited for use as seed, regardless of how ml
good the stock was, for they will have become too old by planting af
time the following spring to make vigorous hills. The loss from · fo
using such seed may easily be 75 percent of the crop. The Early
Rose and Burbank varieties are not so much affected by age as
those just named, but if these varieties are to be planted it is
better to use potatoes that have matured toward fall.
TREATING THE SEED  
Seed potatoes should be treated to guard against seab and
black scurf. This is best done a short time before cutting, tho ml
treating the cut seed is permissible. The potatoes may be cut to
immediately after treatment o1· any time later. The containers CX
into which they are put should be well swahbed with the treating ;·:
solution to cleanse them of germs. lf cut seed is to be treated, a. bg
few days should elapse before treatment, for corking over of the
cut surfaces to take place. After cut seed has been treated, it is Of
best to give it opportunity to dry quickly. W
Two methods of treatment are discussed. Each has its in
especial merits when used under the conditions for which it is

 Polato Growing in Kentucky 15
intended. The grower may choose which suits his conditions
best.
“Sl¢CL7'l(Z(LI‘(ZH Corrosive Subllimute Treatment. Corrosive
sublimate is a deadly poison, taken inwardly, but it is not
absorbed thru the skin, and does not injure the hands. Because
it attacks metals, only wooden or erockery containers should be
used.
The strength of solution is one ounce of corrosive sublimate
in 7; gallons of water. The chemical should be dissolved in two
quarts of boiling water, and this added to 7 gallons of water in
a container of at least 15 gallons capacity. The reason is that
when potatoes are put in, the level of the solution will rise to
cover potatoes of approximately twice its volume. Four lots of
potatoes 1nay be dipped in one batch of solution as follows:
lst lot, 1 hour.
2nd lot, 1% hours.
3rd lot, 1% hours.
4th lot, 2 hours.
The solution should then be brought to its original level
and half the original quantity of corrosive sublimate added,
after which it is ready to use on three lots, dipping them for the
‘ following intervals;
lst lot, 1% hours.
2nd lot, 1% hours. .
3rd lot, 2 hours.
The solution may be reinforced, as before, and three new
lots treated. After this an entirely new solution should be made,
as in the beginning.
When large quantities of potatoes are to be treated, a
number of 50-gallon barrels, each provided with a hole thru which
to draw elf the solution, may be used. (See Figure 9.) Into all
t·XCept one should be put 22g gallons of water in which
Zi otuices of corrosive sublimate have been dissolved. The empty
barrel is to be used to "rotate" the solution.
Quick—Dip C02·rosi·t·c S'ubZ1`ma!e Treatment. At the request
of potato growers in Fayette and Jefferson Counties for tests
which would demonstrate the value of shorter methods of treat-
ing seed potatoes, the writer developed the "quick-dip" corro-

 .16 1(crztucky 1E,zrte11s*1`0»11 C-ireaior N0. 302
sive sublimate il`Ctlill1C1lt and demonstrated it in these two
counties during the past live years. This tl'G2ltYlllQlliZ gave appar~ Wl
entlv the same results as the i`Sttllltltll'tlH 111etl1od of treatment ta]
used for comparison in these tests. to
C()1‘1‘(>SlVC Slll.1lilll?lt¢3 \\'ilS llS€(l lll tllff Sitlllé 1ll'OpOl`ilOllS as H V
for the "standard" treatment, adding one ounce of hydro. H,
chloric acid for each ounce of corrosive snblimate. The formula
used Was:
1 ounce ot corrosive subliniate, ‘
1 iluid ounce of hydrochloric acid,
71/Q gallons of water.
A batch of tl1e solution was used to treat four lots of
potatoes and the time of dipping each lot was tive minutes. After ,
the solution had been used four times, water was added to bring  
its level up to the original mark, a11d half the original quantities ` ;
of corrosive subli1nate and hydrochloric acid were put i11. This il
solution was used three times and then reinforced as before, _
after which three lots more were treated. After that it was  
found best to make a fresh solution as in the beginning. . ‘
Two 50-gallon barrels, used alter11atel_v, with 22  gallons
of solution, constitute etiuipnient to keep two lllttll working at
top speed.
The "<|uicl<-dip" formula is similar to til(* "Acid-Nerci11·y
l)ip"*‘ recoinmended by some northern states, but does 11ot
lfflllttllll so lllllCll acid.
(.t(}))HIl(K)'('.i(/Z T)'(’(Itl.}l{j CU}H[}/}H}l(]S. Several (f'()lllllll*l't'l2li
treating materials are on the inarket. Ry their use, potatoes 111:1)*
be treated rapidly. but up to this time, -lanuary, l9?l2, ‘l‘l1ey
have not given altogetlier satisfactory results. tm
ina
CUTTING THE SEED
. . nun
Seed pieces should he bloeky tllltl plump rather than tllill or 1
, 2 · · . lCC
narrow. lor bloclcy pieces have l'(‘l2li'l\'(‘l}' small. cut laces thru {
_.___ 1IOl
*'l‘l1e “{\L'i(l-A[\·l’(‘lll’)' l7ii1," l'(`·V'flllllll@ll(l<·(l by the llinncsota ;\}£,>l`i\‘lll' T
tural l·ixp•·r1111ent Station, is made as follows: “
ti ounces of corrosive snbliniate,
l quart ot` liydroeliloric acid,
25 galloiis of water. film
This solution uiay he used to treat 40 or 50 bushels of potatoes. UF
adtl111g‘_o11e-fourth ot the amounts of corrosive sublimate and 1iydro<·lilo¤‘i1‘ (tilt
acid, §Z,`I\'(‘Il above, and lillingy the eontaiiier to its original water line, it
may be used tor trn-ati11;;· le or So bushels more, Then it should be di