A total of 3,670,886 bushels of potatoes were exported from RBI in 1949, the greatest amount exported for any year up to 1953. Potatoes were exported to 30 of the United States, all the provinces in Canada, Bermuda, Cuba, Venezuela, British West Indies, South Africa, Israel, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico,

Panama, Puerto Rico and Italy.

In 1950, the MacIntyre variety, which had existed prior to 1900 was certified and available for seed classification.

In 1951, potato production was so poor due to late blight and weather conditions that Lorne C. Callbeck was moved to poetry:

Last Summer was a hectic one With havoc wrought by blight Induced by rains and showers

And fogs and dews at night

Our John he drove the sprayer, Went up and down each row

But the only material worth a damn Was copper—lime Bordeaux.

The 1952 season showed an amazing turn around and a total of 3180 rail cars were shipped by the year’s end. Austin Scales records show an average of 360 bushels per acre which was the second highest yield in

thirty—four years.

In 1953, the Foundation A. seed classification was discontinued. It was determined that Foundation A. was superfluous to the Certified Classification. The Foundation Classification for tablestock production

remained.

An example of field standards for certified and foundation seed is given: 0,70 of plants

Certified Seed 1st Inspection 2nd Inspection Blackleg 2.0 1.0 Wilts 2.0 1.0 Any one virus disease 1.0 0.5 Total of all virus diseases 2.0 1.0 Total of all diseases 2.0 2.0 Foreign Varieties 1.0 0.1 070 of plants Foundation Seed 1st Inspection 2nd Inspection Blackleg 0.5 0.25 Wilts 0.5 0.25 Any one virus 0.5 0.25 Total of all viruses 0.5 0.25 Total all diseases 1.0 0.5 Foreign varieties 0.5 nil

The field standards could be improved by roguing the fields. Farmers would walk up and down the rows picking out foreign varieties or disease infected plants. Another method for improving the standards was tuber unit planting. This method required the farmer to plant all sets from each tuber together. Ifone set from a tuber was diseased all plants from that tuber could be eradicated. Tuber unit planting was mainly done by hand and is more costly and laborious than other methods.

The 1952 season ushered in good years for potato growers all over the Island. Yields tended to be above average at 250—275 bushels per acre and in 1954 and 1955 the prices, 80c to $1.26 per bushel allowed a reasonable profit margin. In the 1953—54 season P.E.I. shipped 82.4% of all the seed potatoes exported to the United

States from Canada. This was because ofa favorable tariff quota and the easy access to water transportation to southern markets.

Potatoes were mainly grown as an additional cash crop on a mixed farming operation during this period. Austin Scales was one of the few growers to specialize in the cultivation of potatoes. Many farmers made

agreements with their neighbours to share the additional equipment and manpower requirements for growing potatoes. This reduced the overhead costs and allowed more farmers to grow the crop. These arejust some

50