SELECTION OF POTATOSEED.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 157, 21 March 1916, Page 1

SELECTION OF POTATOSEED.

[By J Beverley. Assistant Plantbreeder, in tbe ".Journal of Agriculture.") Summer time may seem somewhat early to think about potatoes lor the next ysasor), but there is far more importance Httachmg t3 the matter than appears oi the eurface Seedsmen do not always grow their own stock, but supcly the seed to farmers, to grow them at S3 much per ton or Uy the ere The e is nothing agairst this system if reharca can be plactd en the grower. The latter, howevtr, generally aims to get tfce biggest crop, and it is therefore urlikely that he will make the rigorous selection which is of so much importance unless the seed6iir.ii enforce it under the conditions of contract

One hears ot varieties sporting different fl:were, but this is due mote to previous lack (f care in rojjuing than anything else. When potatoes are in flower it is advisable to look tte crop over and fork out the wrong varietie?, which may be used for table purposes. For example, in a held cf Up-to-datei white-flowering sorts would be rogues and should come out. Pure Heed is worth more than a mixed lot; in order to make a reputation for sending out pure seed one must, therefore be careful in roguing. It is also necessary to cull out weak and undesirable roots at (he same time; by so doing the quality of the sesd ifl improved

I would advise ama 11 growers to s:lect their own Siej whilst the variety is in full vigour, just after flowering; in other words, to obta n immature see), sufficubt for their own requirements, from the btst rco:s or hills. There is a big demand in England for Scotch said potatoes, which are partially immature, es the frosts generally cut down the haulm of the main crop varieties tefure maturity is rerched. When a change ot seed is necessary it is best to obtain it from a colder or a later district, and, wLen purchasing to make inquiry where it was grown

Change of seed every second yesr is advocated by many people as being beneficial to t!ie general crop. Others, however, find that abundant crops of sou ad tubers can be grown for years from self-, aved seed, if only the plant is wellcultivated and littla care is exe.cised in eelection ar.d proper storing over winter

Potatoes produce best tn moist, cool climatty, such as their original home un the plateaus of the Andes. Hot, dry weather at tte time oi maturity weaken* them for reproduction, at.d alter sach weather the aistaec which the Americans call

"spindling Bprcut" a often troublesome. Tubers arl'ected with this disease either refuse to sprcut jr give weakly growths almist like cotton. It the luxicg system is adopted all the affected tuber? can be removed befoic planting time, which is an advantage, The disease mentioned had been common in the smith of England tot some years, being known as "potato bactencsjs." Many theories respecting the CHUse have been adfanced; one is that the Btarch of the tuber not being converted to sugar fails to provide the plant food necessary for the sprout to fe«d in and develop. Immature s« v .d is mostly free from the diseas: As regards the size of tubers lor seed, 1 advise a 2cz set. If riddles are used to grade the ated through a one and three-quarter inch and over, ona and a hall inch mesh gives a useful size for main-crop varieties Ihs storing of seed is a most important matter. Wire benches under pine trees are used at Moumahaki, thus ensuring sulhcient light, plenty of air, and freedom from frost curing the winter