Potato Planting.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2212, 11 September 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Potato Planting.

Whole or Cut Seed. For the benefit of those among our readers who intend to plant potatoes this yeai we publish the results, obtained at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Ohio, of some most exhaustive trials of different methods. In the following experiment with seed potatoes considerable attention was paid to what part of the tuber, if any, showed the greatest vigour. To this end ohoice seeds of standing varieties were procured from different sources, and were variously treated in order to study the results, which are given in the following table, only one variety being used. The eighteen plots here given lepresent a continuation of work which has now been in progress for three years, and the general averages given below the table emphasise the previous results The maximum of total yield is plot I, and of larger tubers plot 9, both planted with large, whole seed. The general averages also give whole seed a decided preference, both as to total yield and large tubers ; but the extremely large yield of small tubers is against them. The time of ripening for ordinary and one-eye cutting was August 17 to 21 ; whole seed ripened from five to seven days earlier.

Concerning the terms 'ordinary, 1 'oneeyed,'and ' one eye reversed,' we may add that the first means two eyes to the piece, the secon.l is cut slanting 1 toward butt and to centie, for the third reverse the tuber, cut off seed end and then cut to centre. It has beep argued that the one-eye system of cutting was superior to other methods for several reasons, among which are saving of seed, increased percentage of large tubers, &c. We have always admitted both of those prepositions, but have maintained that this system of cutting was not practical, and should not be recommended for ordinary culture for the simple reason that such small cuttings to a greater or less extent impaired the vitality of the plant. Under perfect conditions of climate and cultivation, there is no question that extraordinary results may be accomplished with this method ol cutting, and so it might with some other method. These small cuts should be planted closer than large ones, must not be covered too deep, and in a drought are almo&t sure to fall where whole seed or large cuttings will produce a fair crop. The hupposition has been advanced that on account of the internal structure of the tuber, this method of cutting one eye to the centre, slanting 1 the knite towards the stem end was advantageous in this, and it maintained intact a supposed branch of which tho "eye" is the terminal bud. The appearance of the internal structure of the patato gives ground for Ruch a conclusion, but on well authenticated facts this supposition cannut be maintained. For we have repeatedly turned the potato, and cut across the supposed internal branch immediately beneath the bud and secured as good results from such as fiom pieces cut so as to maintain intact the supposed internal branch. Thus, in the above table reversed oattings shows a remarkably better yield than tho most approved ' one eye cutting-.' This we cannot explain, but consider it one of the freaks of plot experimentation. However, both results when compared with ordinary and whole cuts teach tho same genpr.il truth. The following table presents other work bearing on the same question : —

The above table corroborates the previous one with strong testimony. In eveiy instance but one, ordinary cuts exceed in yield the one eye cut. Thia was ■with Snowflake, and io readily understood by all who know the character of this potato. The excess i» yield with ordinary cuttings is a fraction over sixty bubhels per acre ; ommittinir Snowflake, it is a fraction over seventy-seven bu.shfls. It seem* that this i« quite conclusive evidence that undf-r ordinary conditions, the larger cuttings are superior to one eye, and tnnugh superior to amply repay the extr.i outlay of seed. These were all clo^o planted, two and a half by one foot. To Niim up we would say that the evidence adduced would not warrant the use of whole heed, as thia is very wasteful without a ooive-pondinir increase of crop, the argument in favour of it being principally a gaiu of a few days in ripening, and additional vigour to resist drought, also increased yield. The general result tends to show that the yield of large tubers will not as a rule much exceed good ordinary cut seed. Another objection is that large whole Heed produces a much larger quantity of small tubers. The results, moreover, do not sustain the use of one-eye cuttings ; this is very decided. The advantage of catting so as to maintain a snpposed internal structure has not in any of our experience been sustained. That ordinary cutting is best under general conditions is clearly proved. That eyes from certain parts of the tuber are more productive than others is not sustained by a particle of evidence. The whole question of productiveness is, so far as we can discern, a matter of vigour, and the evidence is clear that this is largely influenced by size of cutting. The central portion of the tuber shows the best yield, and the butt portion second. We define ordinary cutting to mean never less than two eyes, except in very large tubers having few eyes when they are cut separate, and three: eyes aie not used, except in cases of many-eyed sort-'. The tip is never used in experiment work by un, We always cut to the centre, aliuting the knife a little toward the butt of the tuber, turning it around as we progress ; in this manner the most uniform cuttings can be made.— Press-

B % u u in Total Yield, I Beauty of Hebron — one Bush. Bush. Bush. eye „ „ ordinary Rural Blush — one eye .. „ „ ordinary ... 0 K. Mammoth Prolific2353 283 0 LOST ' 274.5 65-8 50-0 29 5 25-0 304 1 3440 238 2 199 5 one eye „ „ ordinary Early Ohio— one eye „ „ ordinary Hurbank — one eye „ ordinary Vlammoth Pearl — one eye „ „ ordinary White Elephant — one eye „ „ ordinary inowflakc — one eye „ ordinary 222 G 254 1 163 4 247 3 17b 7 272 1 21) ( > 200 4 120 3 102 1 136 1 130 1 212 81-7 431 340 2b 6 34 0 36-3 17 2 4.") 0 31 3 47> i \ 27 2 246 8 33.') 8 20(5 5 2813 203 3 306 3 2518 337 0 14V2 193 6 181-5 ICS'3 Average of one eye ... „ ordinary... i 18G3 240 3 35 8 42 4 2221 282 7 Excess of ordinary ... ! 540 66 60-6

Seed. n •si T3 3 So (0 Total yield. Bush. 258 6 103 6 Rush. 1497 72-6 Hush. 403 3 26G-2 Large, whole seed Small „ Large, cut once, lengthwise small, cut once, lengthwise 2314 106-0 338 0 154-6 46 8 201-4 Largo, cut crosswise (stem end) Largo, cut crosswise (seed end) ... Cut, ordinary Cut, one eye Large, whole seed Cut, one eyo Large, whole seed Cut, one eye reversed Large, whole seed Cut, one eye reversed Large, whole seed Cut, ordinary Cut, one eje Cut, one eye reversed 2i3-G 254 1 210 6 752 2G.5 2 134 8 199 7 173 1 217-S 103-6 258 9 ICO 8 122 5 158 8 74-9 86 2 31-8 56 72-6 1.1-0 104 4 11-2 106-6 14-5 99 2 38-9 7-9 9 1 313 5 340-3 2514 83-8 335-8 147-8 304 1 181-3 324 1 208-1 358 1 199 7 130 4 167 9 Average of whole seed ... A.ver<igeof ordinary cuts . Average of one eye ruts .. Average of one eye re versed cuts ... 239 6 205-2 111-8 106-5 35-3 8-3 346 1 240 5 120 6 1751 11-6 186-7