Potato Growing.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 43, 16 August 1907, Page 3

Potato Growing.

Although many sprout seed potatoes advantageously in a systematic way, there are innumerable instances where no attention is given to the process, and any help that can be given the tubers before planting, is quite disregarded. A common way is to to let them remain in, heaps in clamp or shed till growth, begins—which is now and allowing the shoots to grow up and form a network amongst the tubers. When they are detached before planting, shoots are 'found many inches in length, slender and pale in colour. Many of them break off in moving the sets, and not one of them is a substantial progressive sprout. This is the worst state potatoes could be planted in; the shoots are irregular and ragged; the growth which follows is of corresponding character, and substantial early development is limpeded, and deteriorated crops result. It may be too much to expect everyone to sprout potatoes in boxes, but I would urge not to allow them to form long shoots in heaps and in the dark ; it is ruinous. The next best process of boxing is to spread them out, not more than two or;three deep, on floors, where they will have full light and plenty of air. This will help greatly to keep them right.