The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-05-01
POTATOES.
Reasons Which Induce the Belief that SIN.

Reasons Which Induce the Belief that SIM
gle-Eye Planting Is the Better Way.
During recent years much has been
written about the culture of the potato.
All the various phases Of the subject
have been treated, from the breaking
of the ground to the disposal of the
crop in market.
We have learned much as to the
mechanical preparation of the soil, of
manures and fert lizers, as well as the
general treatment of the crop during
growth. Single eye, two eyes, half and
whole potato planting, was discussed
and advocated by different writers.
The arguments for sing e-eye cultiva-
ton are: More large tubers, closer
planting, and consequently q more
pro table crop.
My Investigations into the so-called
'toye" of the potato convince me that
single-eye planting is in most pl nts in
accordance with the natural laws of
growth. We all have seen how Wig
orous shoot On some tree or shrub has
absorbed the sap so that smaller shoe Is
below very slowly developed or eventu-
ally died off. The so-called law of "Sur-
yival of the Fittest," would seem to be
we'll illustrated in the growth of our
high forest trees, by the vigorous
growth of the topmost branches and
death of the lower ones.
Since the potato tuber is nothing else
than an underground branch, what we
call an eye is analogous to leaf or
flower bud on branches above ground,
many of these buds producing a num-
Der of leaflets or flowers, as in the case
of the cherry or apple. The same num-
Der of shoots are produced by the eye
of the potato; thus, in examining them
under a microscope, we find from one
to six germs in an eye. In the Early
Rose seldom met with more than
three, while Burbank, Beauty of Hebron
and Snowflake have as high as six
germs or buds. Now, in all have ex-
ahmed, I invariably found the central
germ to be from two to four times the
size of any of the others; some which
had sprouted to the length of nearly an
inch were examined, and in few in
stances only showed any of the minor
germs which had doubtless been abb
sorbed by the central one. Again the
few that were left did not increase in
size, showing that the more vigorous
growth of the central germ prevents the
development of the minor ones.
The presence of the minor germs Cor
buds) is wise provision of nature. In
case OF an accident to the main germ,
minor ones will. more or less
develop, and in this way they serve to
preserve the species. Letting potatoes
sprout before planting, and then rub
bing them off, must necessarily be in-
furious to the eyes, as it requires the
development of the minor germs, which
will be weaker, unless an abundant sup
ply of plant food is at hand, and the
weather is favorable at the time of
planting. If this central or main germ
is allowed to develop, we get one Wig
orous plant, and may expect large
tubers; while, on the other hand, if the
eye is forced to develop its minor germs,
they will all have an equal chance, and
the result will be probably from two to
five stalks, none Of which will be strong
enough to produce large tubers.
Here 1t seems to me an advantage is
to be gained by using stimulating fer
tilizer in the hill or drill, since that will
aid the vigorous growth OF the main
germ in such way as that the minor
germs will. perhaps, not develop, and
one strong plant will be the result.
Many writers have found differences
in the yield of "stem end" and "seed
end eyes as well as middle" eyes.
/ notice that both stem and seed end
eyes have smaller buds than middle
eyes, The seed and eye are more
crowded, and since they are situated
at the growing end of the tubers, the
eyes are not so fully developed. The
stem end eyes, however, have plenty of
room, and yet the buds are smaller than
the middle ones. The claim that they
produce later tubers is no doubt true,
since they lack the start that the middle
eyes have.
Owing to the presence ofconsiderable
protoplasm, which was not consumed
in the previous seasons growth, the
seed end eyes may mature somewhat
earlier than the central ones.
A suggestion to cnltivators may not
be out of place here; namely, that they
make observations as to the number OF
stalks produced in single eye planting,
to see how many of the minor germs will
develop.
The yield of the potato varies so much
in quantity that we ought to be inter-
ested Ia the causes of these differences
and ask ourselves how much o. thi
can be ascribed to the mechanical pr:
paration of the soil, how much &c
manures and fertilizers, how much te
the conditions of the seasons. and last,
but no least, how much 10 Our mode of
planting the tuberP - CIR. Country
Gentleman.