EXTENSION NEWS con'td.
effective In killing these resting
•bodios that servo to propagate the
fungi. From the water the potatoes
should be transferred to a solution
of Mercuric Chloride (U ounces to
30 gallons of water) and allowed to
soak for hours. Since mercuric
chloride is very corrosive to metal
the solution should be ipixcd and
used In wooden, concrete or cnamol
containers. In preparing the so
lution, tho mercuric chloride need
ed should be dissolved In hot water,
because In cold water this chemical
goes into solution extremely slowly.
As the solution decreases in
strength with use, care must bo
taken in maintaining the proper
strength at all times. Usually a
bout 3/8 to 1/2 ounces of the chem
ical is added for every four bush
els of potatoes treated 1-| hours.
The original volume of water
should bo kept at all times by add
ing sufficient amounts whenever
necessary.
Recently, Improved Scmesan Bel,
an organic mercury treatment, seems
to be gaining popularity. Add 1
pound of Semesan Bel to 6 gallons
of water and stir thoroughly. ’Thole
tubers or cut seed pieces are place
in wire baskets and immersed in thi
solution for one minute, then re
moved and allowed to drain. Tubers
chat aro not to be planted immedi
ately should bo spread out to dry
in a clean airy place. Treated
seed pieces should not be piled
over four inches deep. After treat
ing 60 to 80 bushels, discard tho
solution and prepare a fresh one.
If a farmer suspects his potatoes
may be infected with ring rot and
is unable to obtain ring rot free
seed, the treatment of the cut seed
pieces with Improved Scmesan Bel Is
recommended. This may help to re
duce infections transmitted by tho
cutting knife.
ALL MERCURIC COMPOUNDS ARE EX
TREMELY POISONOUS so that potatoes
treated with these compounds should
bo carefully handled and not used
for human or stock consumption. Al
so, extra or leftover mercury so
lution should be disposed of in
such a way that no human being or
animal can come in contact with it.
Further information concerning grow
ing potatoes in Alaska can be ob
tained at the Extension Service off
ice. Ask for a copy of "Growing
Potatoes in Alaska"; Circular No.6
These bulletins are free for the
asking.
Claude Scranton returned to Pal
mer last v/ock. He plans on working
rn ni
in Alaska this summer before re
turning to Montana, where the Scran
ions now make their home*
Mr. and Mrs. James Frey aro the
parents of twins born Saturday,
May 5th., at Valley Hospital.
Mrs. V/m. Bouwcns, who has been
ill in Valley Hospital for several
weeks, has been released.
Friends of Jesse Kepler will bo
sorry to hoar that ho suffered a
severe stroke last Wednesday night.
While Mr. Kepler's condition is im
proving, he is still unable to have
visitors.
The Northland Pioneer Grange of
Palmer, is planning for its last
card party of the season. It will
be hold May 16, at the Grange Hall,
at 8 o'clock.
I
I
Mary Witt, owner and operator of
the Valley Cleaners for many years,
announced last week, that she has
sold the business to Mr. and Mrs.
I McMahan.
FUNERAL SERVICES FIELD
Military funeral services were
held on Saturday, May 5th. f at the
Palmer cemetery, for Grant Franco
who died May 2nd., after a long ill
ness.
Mr. France was born at Bagley,
Iowa 56 years ago, and came to the
Valley as one of the original colon
ists from Minnesota, in May of 1935
Burial services were conducted at
the graveside by the American Le
gion Post No. 15* with Chaplain Bob
Peterson reading the service. Pall
bearers and color guards were fell
ow legionaires and the firing squad
came from the Base.
CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST con't.
is, that through the mismanagement
of the Produce department, this
whole matter became such a mess. If
a group of non-dairymen had bcon in
charge at that time, the blame
could have been placed on their
shoulders. But, instead of that,
it was a group of dairymen who hold
the reins, and later, some of them
sued themselves .for their own mis
management, seized some of the
funds of the Association to pay
theraaolvos off before the Co-op
could start the Appeal. Now watch
out for "crocodile tears" when they
are called on for repayment• C/v»