Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-02-13
Large and Small Potato for Plant
Ing,

ing,
An English experiment is quoted in the
Gardeners Monthly, showing the advan-
gage OF large sized potatoes for seed.
Those weighing half pound furnished
strong ana vigorous shoots, and main.
taincd their superiority over those from
small potatoes-the yield not being more
than half as large from small seed.
The Improvement made in wheat, by
selecting long ears and large grlins for
three or four generationsyis then cited As
a parallel case.
As the editor of the Country Gentle
man truly says, there is 20 parallel in the
case. Tie tubers of the pota'o are MT
the seed Of the plant; to make the cases
parallel, the seed from the fruit Or balls
must be resortcd to. Underground .u-
bers are not sced-their eyes are no,hing
ba: buds, and if the eyes of large pota-
toes produce larger stalks, it is because
they are better noarished from the sub
stance Of the old tubcr. Hence, cut
pieces OF large potatoes, where the pieces
are Of the same weight as small ones,
would be likely to succeed little, if any
better than the latter.
We know, in the case of the yam and
sweet potato. it is customary to use small
tubers. 1t is not yet settled that the lar
ger sizes are in any degree better than
the small one, though some think they
are. The editor Of the Country Gentle.
man has himself experimental in the case
ii the Irish potato. He says:
I'VE have tried this same experiment
with large and small potatoes in more
distinct decisive manner than in the ex-
pertinent cited. Two sizes were selected
one consisting Of potatoes weighing
from four to eight ounces; the other very
small ones, none of Which weighed more
than o fourth of an ounce. They were
both cut alike. with two or three eyes on
each piece, and planted in alternate rows
on fine piecu OF moist, mellow soil,
where the small ones would not perish by
drying. The large ones came up a little
sooner, but subsequently no material diff
ference was Observed in the appearance
ofthe rows, which on planting, had been
carefully registered in book, to prevent
all possibility Of mistake. When the pc
tatoes were dug, the contents of each row
were placed in heap at the end. A row
Of heaps was thus formed for the inspec-
lions. Now as the small potatoes were
only about one:thirtieth the size of the
larger ones, it would naturally be expect
I'd that the heaps from these rows would
be very different in size and appearance
from the others. No percept;5le differ
cnce, horerer, acas TO be seen. All agreed
that the potatoes from the small tubers
were fully equal in size to the others, and
some Of the party thought they were lar
ger as On average On carefully measur-
ing the quantity, the crop was found to
be greater, by about onc-tenth, from the
large potatoes, doubtless in. consequence
Of their having had an earlier start"
Our friend, Mr.. E. Bancroft, expert
menled some on this point, but the result
was vtiated by difference in variety and
time of planting. He was inclined to
think the crop was not improved by the
use of large uncut seed.
But in the use of the large uncut tubers,
there may be this advantage: A cut piece
or very small one in dry soil, may
come up weak-the soil even extracting
moisture in the first case from the set,
while whole tuber would scndup plump
and vigorous shoots. In case of frost,
.fter the plants are up, if only two or
three eyes were in the set, the crop is
ruined, for such piece can send up few
additional shoots. But if the first shoots
ola whole potato of medium or large size
are killed back, new shoots will start
from dormant eyes, and the crop. though
little later, if the seasons hit, will be
as good as if the frost had not occurred.
Hence, for very early planting, we would
put in whole tubcrs. quite large pieces;
and where we used cut seed, give them
a richer soil, supplying by manuring, that
nourishment which is partly afforded by
planting large tuber.-iSouthern Culti-
vdior.