SIZE OF SEED POTATOES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1480, 1 July 1912, Page 8

SIZE OF SEED POTATOES.

SOMB'IM'EKKSTJNG KXI'm.MKXT*. Kxnerimonls carried out at tlif Xnrdi Dakota experiment station have shown that when large, medium, and small potatoes were planted whole, the crop decreased in proportion to the >ize of the tubers planted. Yet the jrreate-t net profits were not. secured from the lariiovt potatoes, as the extra yield did n.it equal the greater quantity of seed required. Sixteen stations have reported similar lesls ami all agreo with the preceding statement. This should he suflieient to settle the question of what size, of seed to use. .This does not, however, favour the election of small or even inediiiiiisized seed froni the bin, and l'rof. .1. 11. Shonpcrd states that this is a sure way of. running the crop out. Vic size to out seed pieces should depend upon the variety and upon the fertility and culture of the soil. Pieces should be cut to weight and not to number of eves. On food, well prepared soil small pieces are .satisfactory, but they should be planted closer than largo ones. . Unfavourable reasons favour larije s'zes. Pieces weighing about 2 ounces will lie found under ordinary conditions. A crop grown from large pieces will mature slightly ahead of one grown from small cuttings.

The resiilts secured in trials at tliTee North. Dakota Mtb-stations in planting whole largo, whole small, nut] two-eye piece average hilier nuttings indicate that under dry land conditions there may l;e more .id van taste in plaulin? the whole potatoes thriii where the trials Mentioned from the sixteen stntinns were made.

Tho average results from a two years' trial on the three sub-experiment stations, Kdgeley, Dickinson, and Williston, gave 37.3 bushels more tubers per acre from planting large entire potatoes than from the ordinary two-eye piece-. The difference in the amount of seed used, liuw-: ever, was 20 bushels or slightly more ror acre, which leaves (he balance still i;i favour of the larje tnb?r rather than the small. The price i> usuallv enough greater at planting time than' at Ihe <li!feiii.<r season lo more tlniii ofi'-ct this advantage. The re-iilts are interesting in that they show that under dry land conditions even thor-c minor features which tend to stimulate the early growth nf a crop have an advantage not observed under humid conililions.

The Seed Per Acre. The (|iinntity of seed per acre will depend entirely upon the size of the seed pieces and the distnnci' apart of plnnling. It ranges fnm 3 m '.'ll bu>he!s per acre. It is poor economy to plant long distances apnrt merely to save sped. Maturity cf the seed seems tn have an important bearing on productiveness. Potatoes not quite fully mature frequently give the ■larger yield. This is thought to bs due to the keeping qualities of the seed. It is supposed that fully mature potatoes undergo some physiological change when stored, and that this change is detrimental. The changes are more rapid in mature than in immature tubers, hqr.ee the lessened yield. It pays to grow the potatoes to be used for seed on heavy soil ou account of the larger yields secured. Something of the same results may be secured by growing the s'ed under a heavy mulch of straw. This has been proved by many trials in bath America mid in England. The first sprout is the strongest and if it is allowed to grow and is then removed two or more weaker ones will lw thrown out. The sprouting of the seed uses the food stored up for the growth of tiro young plant. Too much care cannot bo e,xe.rcised in storing seed potatoes so that there will be no danger of sprouting. None but firm hard tubers should bo used for seed. The time to cut th? ;ecd is just before it is planted. The practice of cutting and allowing tho cut Mirfncp to dry should Iμ condemned. Xo harm is done by coating the cut surfaces with land plaster. If for any rcas.m it is dfsh-ed to keep the cut feed for several days, it may be done by pouring water on' tho ground; then place the cuttings on the moist ground, and cover with a heavy canvas. Seed may bo kept firm and in good condition for several days in this way. It may be necessary to u>e some such scheme in case of heavy rains or disagreeable weather. ,