Cutting Potatoes for Seed.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1985, 28 March 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

Cutting Potatoes for Seed.

Mr. J. B\bden-, of Wells, Vt., give 3 an intereßting account of some experiments he made last summer in planting cut and uncut potatoes. Three rows, each long enough for 125 hills, were planted to Burbank seedlings, one row with whole seed, one with one piece to the hill, and another with two pieces in a hill. At digging time the single-piece row yielded six bushels, the two-piece row, eight bushels ; while the row planted with uncut potatoes produced ten bushels. There were very marked results, yet, in order to have an experiment ol this kind to teach all we would like to know about planting cut or uncut potatoes, we ought to know whether the hills were of uniform distance apart in each case, and also whether the pieces were cut to single eyes, or whether they were large potatoes cut in two. The whole seed, we believe, was from large, selected potatoes. Now, as prices ruled last season at planting and harvesting tidST" might still be a question which seed was the mrnt esaflomifigl tor'fflanT? Again, seed cut ti dingle eyes should be planted with a great rrany more hills to the acre, than would be j .uicioua if u=ung large whole seed. If Mr. Barden dropped hig single eyes two 01 three feet apart in the row, we would suspect that he used too little Eeed to obtain a full crop. The question of whole or cut seed is one that is surrounded with too many difficulties to be answered at once, and for all time. It has been our aim when discussing the question, rather to Btudy the laws which control the growth of the potato, than to attempt to lay down infallible rules, as guides for action. If one understands the nature of the plant he is cultivating, he will be better able to adopt the conditions to each other that may exist at the time. All potatoes are bo cheap this spring that those who wish to experiment with large, whole seed, can do co with little extra cost. Our preference is for single eyes, if all other conditions are within control, and we would prefer the pieces should be cut from large, smooth seed ; but if the price was high, we would not object to those which were just below market size. But in either case we would want the rich soil, and in the very finest state of tilth, so that every piece would start and make an early and strong growth. The potato is like the constitution of some men, able to endure a good deal of abuse, but there is no argument in favor of abusing either, — Hi change.