ech kan University Bulletins Series XIIl, Number 11 University Bulletins Published Quarterly ) 85 by the University of Nebraska at the Uni- | B3 versity of Nebraska. Entered at the Post- i & Office at Lincoln, Nebraska, as Second- Copy 1 Class Matter Under act of Congress, July | 16. 1896. Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Associations. W ORGANIZATION By E. C. BISHOP SELECTING POTATOES FOR THE CONTEST | | By VAL KEYSER 4 ) April, 1908 ; THe UNIVERSITY Press , ¥ 4 Lincoln Nebraska - 3 ‘< ’ a ty he EEA EY, OF THE U. S. Department of Agriculture SP eRe san $ ORGANIZATION E. C. BISHOP Since this bulletin is the first to go into the hands of many of our new members, a brief summary of matters concerning organization is here given. STATE ORGANIZATIONS Our state organizations were formed December 15, 1905, at the first corn contest held at Lincoln. Constitutions were adopted, officers elected and provisions made for carrying out the plans adopted. The boys’ organization is known as the Nebraska Boys’ Agricultural Association, the girls’ organiza- tion as the Nebraska Girls’ Domestic Science Association. Offi- cers are elected at the annual business meeting. The present officers are as follows: Managers, E. C. Bishop, Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Val Keyser, Assistant Superintendent of Farmers’ Institutes. Boys’ Association : President, Clande A. Barker, Pawnee City. Vice-President, P. W. Sandy, Gretna. Secretary-Treasurer, Lester Moore, Seward, Girls’ Association : President, Miss Ellen Inglis, Pawnee City. Vice-President, Miss Verda Sandborn, Gretna. Secretary-Treasurer, Miss Grace Aldrich, Ord. At the third annual meeting, held at Lincoln, January 20-24, 1908, plans adopted for the ensuing year include work in the following departments: (a) Corn. (b) Potatoes. (c) Buttermaking. (d) Cooking. (e) Needle work. (f) Cooking and preserving of vegetables and fruits. (g) Flower culture, oy ee” MW... 20 wt 4 The University of Nebraska It was recommended that each county take up such depart- ments of the work as seemed best for that particular county this year. Potato growing was added especially for the benefit of counties outside the principal corn belt. Buttermaking is recommended for both boys’ and girls’ work in all counties. The bulletins are written from a scientific, practical stand- point in terms familar to the young reader, yet contain in- formation and direction helpful to all who desire definite study and practice. The educational value of the work is fully as important as the development of individual efficiency. Each of the state officers has been assigned a subject for special investigation. It is his duty to gather data relative to available literature, to investigate and learn what work of interest is being done in his special department and to be in readiness to report the same. The work for this year has been assigned as follows: Corn, Mr. Moore; Potatoes, Mr. Sandy; Buttermaking, Mr. Baker; Cooking, Miss Ingls; Sew- ing, Miss Aldrich; Flowers, vegetables and fruits, Miss Sand- born. The University of Nebraska thru the Department of Farmers’ Institutes and the State Department of Publie Instruction co-operate in conducting the work. The University furnishes speakers and judges for state and county meetings and pub- lishes special bulletins. The State Board of Agriculture assists by providing liberal premium lists for the state contest and at the state fair for exhibits resulting from the work carried on by the state, county and district members of the associations. The object of the organization is to encourage all young people of the state to become interested in the matters which pertain to the home lfe; to become efficient in the ordinary duties of the home; to study, to experiment and secure definite results along lines of activity which are important factors in physical, intellectual and moral development. One state meeting is held each year. This consists of a business meeting, a general program and an exhibition or con- test at which the best exhibits made in the various county contests are exhibited and prizes awarded according to merit. Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Associations 5 COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS. The state organization provides for sub-organizations, the first of which is the county organization. These organizations ore. Known As testa. dah ioa. County Boys’ Agricultural elbion eG UNE? -HsAl Mois County Girls’ Domestic Science Club. The county superintendent or some person appointed by him is exofficio manager of the county club. Each club has officers as in the state organization. The duties of the officers are to assist the county manager in carrying out his plans. The principal work comes at the time of the county contest. In some counties a county contest is not held the first vear the work is undertaken, the county members being sup- phed with bulletins and encouraged to take up some particular line of work in their homes; but in nearly all counties a coun: y contest is held, at which the county members are given oppor- tunity to exhibit results of their work. Very few counties take up all lines of the work each year. Each county chooses some particular work and concentrates effort therein. It is better to do a few things well than to attempt to do more than can be well done. The different de- partments of work suggested by the state organization are for the purpose of providing one or more lines of work that are especially adapted to each of the different sections of the state. The non-corn growing counties can do excellent work with potatoes and buttermaking. The work in the various girls’ departments is applicable to all parts of the state. SCHOOL DISTRICT ORGANIZATIONS The school district organizations are sub-organizations of the county and state organizations. Various names are given these organizations: The School and Home Improvement Club, the Agricultural Club, the Gardening Club, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Industrial Club, are names used in different parts of the state. The teacher or some person appointed by the teacher is ex-officio manager of the school district elub. In towns and cities the principal or superintendent of the schools is ex-officio manager. Many of our strong clubs are in rural school districts; others are in town and city districts. - 6 The University of Nebraska Domestic Science clubs are most common in town and city school districts, yet some strong Agricultural clubs are under the management of town schools. The plan of the work in district clubs is quite similar to that of the county club. The district clubs are generally strong factors in the work of county clubs. GENERAL DIRECTIONS The work is designed principally as home work. Do not allow elub work to interfere with the regular school work or other home duties. Learn to do well something worth be- ing done. Do the thing that needs to be done. Do not attempt to do too many things at once. Do well the thing attempted. First, learn to do the best thing near at hand. Efficiency in any good work is true and profitable education. He who lives well must eat well, dress neatly and comfortably and enjoy gvood things; one who eats well, dresses well and enjoys good things must have well-prepared food, proper clothing and proper surroundings; one who prepares good food, proper clothing and pleasant surroundings must be supphed with good materials; one who supphes good materials at a reasonable cost must study well, act intelligently and work effectively. A good home is dependent upon companionship, ability to do, cheerful- ness, co-operation and effective service of all members. The home of every member of our boys’ and girls’ club should be happier and better because of the presence of such member, whatever be the line of work he undertakes. We want every Nebraska home to be the best home that the united efforts of all its members can make it. To do good things intelligently, efficiently and with a cheerful spirit entitles the member to the highest degree of approval given by our organizations. BULLETINS Bulletins will be furnished free thru the county superin- tendent to all members of district and county organizations. Any teacher or other person interested in the work desiring copy of any bulletin may secure the same until supply is exhausted by writing to the county superintendent or to the Registrar, University of Nebraska. These bulletins are in- Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Associations 7 tended for only general treatment of the subject discussed. The reader is expected to extend his reading and investiga- tions and to adapt his work to local conditions. The county manager will give instructions for carrying out the work in the county. Each member is requested to become acquainted with the county and district plans and to give special atten- tion to the work planned for each. Write to the county super- intendent for desired information. GROWING FOTATOES FOR THE CONTEST VAL KEYSER Introduction In the preparation of this bulletin the writer has attempted to give suggestions concerning the important points which should be observed in order to produce a good crop of pota- toes. The steps are taken up in logical order, just as the grower will proceed with the work. It is impossible to give specific directions as to the exact method to be followed in each of the operations, since the suggestions are of a general nature and the bulletin intended for use in all parts of Nebraska. The boys should use good judgment in each step and consult with the most successful potato growers in their locality. It is worth a great deal to any boy to talk to a successful, enthusiastic man, who under- stands the business of potato growing. Such a man is not only an inspiration to one, but he can also point out little things helpful to the boy and warn him against mistakes. Twenty years ago it was an easy matter to grow a crop of potatoes on almost any land in eastern Nebraska. Yields of from two hundred to four hundred bushels per acre were quite common. Late years, one hundred bushels per acre is considered a good yield, and many acres of good land produce even less than this. Now potato growing on a large scale is limited to certain sections of the state. The productiveness of some of the lands has been greatly reduced by constant cropping and weeds have become a serious problem. Insects, diseases and lack of facilities for handling and marketing, - 8 The University of Nebraska have tended to discourage potato growing on a commercial seale. It is hoped that this bulletin will interest the boys in potato crowing by helping them to overcome some of the obstacles which have hindered growing potatoes as a market crop. Choice of Ground The first thing to consider is the choice of ground, or the most desirable place to plant potatoes. A fairly light soil usu- ally produces the best quality of potatoes. Generally speak- ing, a light soil is one which contains a large portion of sand, tho some soils rich in humus are light and lend themselves easily to cultivation. The sandy soils are light soils and are easy to cultivate. Clay soils are usually heavy in nature and more difficult to work. Where it is practical to do so, select a sandy soil that is rich in decayed vegetable matter. The plat for potatoes should be a fairly level piece of ground which does not overflow and where the drainage is good. Potatoes should not be planted on ground where potatoes were grown last year. If a piece of ground is available which has recently been seeded to alfalfa, clover or grasses, and has produced a erop of corn or small grain the previous year, other condi- tions being equal, it will be ideal for potatoes. Land which was well manured last year and has produced a crop since, could be selected. Avoid high sloping ground, on account of the danger of washing in times of heavy rains. The ground also dries out more readily in dry seasons. The potato seems to thrive best where conditions of moisture and temperature are fairly constant. Choose the best piece of land on the farm, keeping in mind the suggestions outlined above. Size of Plat It is not advisable to plant less than a twentieth of an acre, which would be a strip of ground two rods wide and four rods long. Each boy is encouraged to plant one-tenth of an acre or as much larger plat as he is able to plant and properly eare for. It requires a plat four rods or 66 feet square for a tenth of an acre. It may not be advisable to select a square plat, on account of the lay of the land or convenience Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Associations 9 in cultivation, in which case a plat two rods wide and eight rods long could be selected, or one rod wide and sixteen rods long. If the plat of ground is sixty-six feet square it will . allow for twenty rows three feet apart, and would require to plant it, from one-half bushel to a bushel of potatoes, depend- ing on size of tubers. If the tubers are planted fifteen inches apart the plat will contain 1040 hills. Preparation of the Soil for Planting Ground that has been plowed the fall before, especially where the soil has a tendency to be heavy, is usually the best. The ground should be plowed from seven to ten inches deep. Deep plowing affords better drainage, better aeration, and leaves the soil looser, which favors the growth of potatoes. The soil should be free from ecornstalks or trash, for this ma- terial will interfere with later cultivation of the crop. If the ground must be plowed in the spring, double disk early and plow deep. The disking will mix the trash with the sur- face soil before it is turned under and leave the ground in better shape for plowing. By plowing the ground early and working it down well with a disk and harrow, the soil will be settled together, making a better seed bed. The land that has been plowed the fall before should also be disked early in the spring. Where the potatoes are planted early, no further treatment is necessary until you are ready to plant. Seed Potatoes It is perhaps best to use Early Ohio potatoes since this variety is so extensively grown in Nebraska and the Dakotas. This enables one to secure northern grown seed. Experienced potato growers have found that, as a rule, northern grown seed gives the largest yield and greatest per cent of high class tubers. This fact has placed a premium on seed potatoes grown in the Red River Valley. Seed grown in northern Ne- braska would do for planting in the southern portion of the state. Some successful potato growers have found that by careful selection year after year, they are able to produce seed potatoes on their own farms which are equal to the best Red River Early Ohio potatoes. If it is possible to secure seed from - 10 The University of Nebraska these parties, it would be advisable to purchase home grown seed. Each boy should buy his own seed or secure it from the county manager. Do not be afraid to invest one dollar or even three dollars in good seed. If conditions are at all favorable, and the grower performs his part, the tenth acre should pro- duce fifteen to twenty bushels of marketable potatoes. These potatoes should net the grower thirty cents to forty cents per bushel aside from the premiums he may be able to win in the county and state contests. By purchasing in large quantities the county manager may be able to secure the seed at a re- duced price. This seed should be purchased as soon as pos- sible and kept in a cool place until time to plant. The average cellar or cave will be suitable. Choice of Variety.— We wish to encourage the planting of early varieties, but where experience has shown that late va- rieties are better adapted to the soil, plant the kind that will give best resulis. The question of variety is not so important as quality. A great many varieties have been originated by growers in different parts of the state which have proven to be superior in their localities. The following early varieties have given excellent results and are considered standard in Ne- braska: Early Ohio and Early Six Weeks. The Early Ohio is a great favorite in our state, and if good seed can be secured is considered the most satisfactory potato for general planting. Some growers who have practiced irrigation prefer late varie- ties on account of increased yield. Carman No. 3, Rural New Yorker, and Sir Walter Raleigh are considered among the very best late sorts. Cutting Tubers The seed should be cut and planted the same day. Experi- ence has shown that if seed is allowed to dry out between the time of cutting and planting it will require longer time for growth to start and the potatoes will be slower to come up. There are two general methods used in eutting seed, quarter- ing the tubers, or cutting them into single-eye pieces. Either method can be used. If the potatoes are cut in quarters they should be planted about fifteen inches apart. If single-eye Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Associations Hig Showing method of cutting tubers into single-eye pieces. pieces are used, plant from ten to fifteen inches, this depend- ing somewhat on the location and amount of average rainfall. If the potato is cut in quarters, it should be quartered length- wise, so that each piece will remain equal in length to the original length of potato. If cut in single-eye pieces, a medium-sized potato usually makes from eight to ten pieces. Care should be taken that each piece contains a good strong eye. The strength of the eye is generally determined by its prominence. A shallow, poorly defined eye is considered to be lower in vitality. The eye of the potato need not be deep but should be well defined. Use good judgment in cutting the tubers; some potatoes may divide nicely into six or eight parts bearing good strong eyes, while it would not be advis- able to cut others into more than four pieces. Treatment of Seed Before Planting If the seed is perfectly clean and free from scab spots, treatment with some fungicide may not be necessary. But where potatoes are imported, we are not certain that proper cal 12 The University of Nebraska care was exercised in keeping the seed clean and separate from diseased potatoes. Some growers even recommend thoroly washing apparently clean seed before it is planted, when it is not thought best to treat with fungicide. If the seed shows the slightest trace of scab it should be dipped in a solution of formalin. The usual recommendation for the solu- tion is one pint of formalin to thirty gallons of water; or, one ounce to two gallons will answer for all practical purposes. Place the potatoes in a gunny sack, submerge them and leave in solution from an hour to an hour and a half. When the seed is taken from the solution it should be spread out upon a platform or some boards placed together for this purpose, and allowed to dry, as the fumes from the wet potatoes make them disagreeable in planting. Potato Scab.—The seab is a parasitic fungus which lives on potatoes while they are in the ground. It is reproduced by means of spores which live on potatoes and in the ground where potatoes have been grown. Scab causes brown-colored Potatoes Affected with Scab. irregular ruptures in the skin of the potato. Where the pota- toes are badly affected the fungus may cover the entire tuber. es ap “é ae: Nebraska Boys’ and Girls’ Associations 13 It hinders the development of the potato and causes a rough, unsightly appearance which greatly reduces their market value and keeping qualities. The treatment with formalin as above mentioned will largely prevent this disease. Planting and Covering The marking out of the furrows could be done while the potatoes are drying after dipping. The furrows should not be opened and left long before the potatoes are dropped and eovered. The planting should be hurried thru so that the potatoes can be covered with moist soil. The furrows should be made about four inches deep with a plow or lisster. Of course this work ean be done by hand, but the boy on the farm should practice doing things in a way that saves as much time and labor as possible. After the potatoes are dropped in the furrow they can be covered by the use of a double shoveled cultivator. This is best done by going twice over each row, the second time leaving the ground ridged from two to three inches high over the potatoes. . How many times were your potatoes cultivated? How deep ? 6. In how many ways do weeds hinder the growth of potatoes? -7. Why should only clean seed be planted ? 8. Why should medium-sized potatoes be selected for seed? 9. How many bushels of medium-sized potatoes will it require to plant an acre, if seed be cut in single-eye pieces, rows 3 feet apart, and hills 13 inches apart in the rows? 10. What will it cost to dip a bushel of seed potatoes in formalin? 11. How many gallons liquid spray material does it require to spray an acre of potatoes once over? What will it cost? 12. How much dust material does it require to dust an acre? What would it cost? 13. What will it cost to mulch an acre of potatoes? 14. How many days does it require from date of planting to mature Early Ohio potatoes? Also Rural New Yorker? 15. What is the best method of storing potatoes in your locality? _ 30 The University of Nebraska 16. In how many ways ean potatoes be propagated? 17. How many different kinds of insects injured your potatoes in 1908? 18. How many different diseases troubled your potatoes? 19. What methods were used to prevent these diseases and insects? 20. How many bulletins and books on potatoes have you read? Note.—Dr. F. D. Heald, Botanist, Experiment Station, Lin- eoln, Nebr., has promised to identify and make report to the grower upon all specimens of diseased potatoes sent to the Experiment Station rf specimens are in condition to make identification possible. Recommended List of Publications Books— “The Potato,’’ by Samuel Fraser, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. ‘‘Principles of Vegetable Gardening,’’ by L. H. Bailey, Cor- nell University, Ithaca, N. Y. ‘Vegetable Gardening,’’ by Samuel B. Green, Minnesota Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, Minn. Bulletins— Bulletin No. 97, Nebraska Experiment Station, Lincoln, Nebr., ‘‘ Potato Experiments. ”’ Bulletin No. 87, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. St. Anthony Park, Minn., ‘‘Potatoes at the University Farm.”’ Bulletin No. 91, Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, Ft. Collins, Colo., ‘‘Potato Failures. ”’ Bulletin No. 117, Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station, ‘““The Colorado Potato Industry.”’ Bulletin No. 52, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater, Oklahoma, ‘‘The Potato Crop.’’ Bulletin No. 174, Ohio Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio, ‘‘Potato Investigations, Variety Tests, Spraying and Seed Selection.’’ Bulletin No. 290, New York Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, ‘‘Potato Spraying Experiments in 1906.’’ « Nebraska Boys’ and Girl’s Associations al Bulletin No. 230, Cornell University Experiment Station, i ithaca; INOY. Quality im Potatoes.’ Farmers’ Bulletin No. 91, U. 8S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., ‘* Potato Diseases and their Treatment. ’’ Farmers’ Institute Lecture No. 2, ‘‘Potato Diseases and their Treatment,’’ U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washing- Ons DG: | |