The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-03


Philadelphia Record.
Ter several wears past the matter OF select
ing potatoes for seed has been frequently
discussed, some preferring certain parts Of
NE potato while others preferred using the
whole seed or a number OF eyes. Although
Ibis is not the season for planting potatoes,
yet il is the best time to select the seed, and
IN order that more light may be thrown on
the subject we Will notice the expert
ments Of DR.. Sturtevant, who deter
mined to discover whether one por-
lion of the potato was better
than the otrer. The potatoes were cut 70
ringle eyes, the white star variety being
used, which furnished from nine to twenty
seven eyes each, thirty Potstoes being re-
uuired tor one-twentieth Of an acre, they be-
ing planted one foot apart in drills, the drills
being three.and one half feet from each other.
Each portion was designated as stem, central
and seed. The total number of eyes planted
Was $50, and Of the number sixteen from the
atem end. FIVE from the center and four from
the seed end failed TO terminate. The crop
Sas fraction over 3SS pounds of good po-
taloss. eighty-six pounds oil small potatoes
ard 100 pounds of unsound potatoes. Tue
Weld was calculated, however, for 100
ewes, and from the butt eyes were
procured 1875 good potatoes; from the
center ewes 234 good potatoes. and from the
small seed end) ewes 22S good potatoes.
Given in pounds, the bait ends produced
about sixty-two pounds, the center nearly
seyepty-three pounds and the seed end
about seventy-f four and three-fourths pounds
OF small potatoes produced go came from
the butt ends. 269 from the center and 256
From the seed end. OF rotten potatoes there
we're obtained 122 potatoes from the butt
end. I76 from the center and l4I from the
seed end. The total, of good, small and rot
ten, being COZ potatoes from the butt emo,
679 from the center and 637 from the small
end. twill be seen that the center eyes
produced the largest number OF good pots-
loes though the seed end produced the
largest amount in pounds. The butt ends
produced the largest number of small sound
potatoes, while the center yielded the most
rotten ones. In pounds the heaviest yield OF
both good and small potatoes came from
fhe seed end and the least number and
weight OF rotton ones came from the butt
CT ds.
II ia demonstrated that the seed end is in
every respect equal to any other portion OF
khe potato, with a decided advantage In lt'
favor so far as weight of crop is concerned
though the actual number Of the best Dots
toes came from the center eyes. The vitality
of ewes used as seed improves according e
their terminal position on the potato. Int
Weld in proportion for an acre is 206 bushels
for the butt ewes, go Bushels Ter the center
Syes and 2s2 bushels for the seed-end eyes
The experiments demonstrate that single
eyes used as seed yielded satisfactory croI
Ter hill, while the crop was also NOR
Uniform in quality than from whole pots
toes OF ordinary cuts, and yielded a smalle
proportion Of small potatoes than ordinary
cuts of whole potatoes. In comparing
ordinary cuts with whole potatoes NOR
favorable result Is we're derived from the cut
than from the whole ones, and especially n
when the amount OF seed used 10 subtracte'
from the whole crop. 1t was demonstrated
shat single eyes when cut deeply, so as {
contain some substance, gave much bette
yields than when cut shallow. Early plant
ing gave better results in quality and tota
yield than when later planting va
practiced In regard to distance bety1,,
The seed in the hills it Wat, loco
strated that close Plsntin~IRcS~seo tne
the yield OF good potato Dy me3are' hnIe
weld of small from preysus season
isrti1ieer I.1sfked influence uon the crop.
Sxc--S2periments of others &c planting of
14ole potatoes seemed to gYe the best re-
suits, but when the large quality of seed so
. used ID subtrscted from the YIELD it is doubt
ful II any sdvan tage is gaind when the cost
70 considered. The seed eds may be used
Tor producing large potatoes by placing the
seed at greater distance D the lows, and IL
Is probable that by using kss seed and mora
thorough t1llage betterfesults may be OBJ
tanned in proportion 70 Abor and amount of
seed used.