Weekly Chillicothe crisis., 1885-04-16

eyes, half and whole potato planting,
was discussed and advocated by differ
ent writers. The argument for single
eye cultivation are: "More large tub.
crs, closer planting, and consequently
Il more profitable crop. My investi-
cations into the structure of the So
called "eye" of the potato convince me
that single eye planting is in most
plants in accordance with natural laws
of growth. We all have seen how q
vigorous -hoOt on some tree or shrub
has absorbed the sap so that smaller
shoots below very slowly developed or
eventually died of. The so.called
law of survival of the iittest' would
seem to be well illustrated in the
growth of our high forest trees by the
vigorous growth of the topmost
branches and death of Tie lower ones.
Since the potato tuber is nothing
else than an underground branch,
what we call an eye is analogous to Il
leaf or ilower-bud on branches above
ground, many of these buds produc-
ing number of leaflets or flowers, as
in case OF the cherry or apple. The
same number Of shoots are produced
by the eye Of the potato; thus, in cx-
aiming them under n microscope,
we find from one TO six germs in an
eve. In the early rose seldom met
with more than thrco, while burbank,
beauty of Hebron, and snowflake have
rs high as six germs or buds. Now, in
| all have examined, | invariably
found the central germ to be from two
to four times the size of any of the
other; some which had sproutcd to
/ the length of nearly an inch were OK
amincd, and, in few instances only,
showed any of the minor germs which
had doubtless been absorbed 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 tho develop
mcnt of the minor ones.
| The presence of the minor germs
/ Cor buds is wise provision of M.
/ turc. In case of an accident to the
main germ, the minor ones will dcvcl-
op, and in this way they serve to pro-
serve the species. Letting potatoes
sprOut before planting, and then rub
bing them oil, must necessarily be in
furious to the eyes, rs it requires the
/ development Of the minor germs, which
will be weaker, unless IN abundant
supply Of plant food is at hand and
tho weather is favorable at the time OF
planting. If this central or main
germ is allowed to develop, we get
one vigorous plant, and may expect
large tubcrS; while, on the other hand,
ii the eye is forced to develop its mi
nor germs, they will all have an equal
chance, and the result will be proba-
bly, from two TO five stalks none OF
which will he strong enough to pro.
ducc large tubcrs.
Here it seems TO me an advantage is
to be gained by using Il stimulating
fertilizer 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 de.
vclop, and one strong plant will be the
result. Many writers have found diff
fcrcnces in the yield of "stem end
and "sccd cnd' eyes as well as "mid-
die" ewes! | notice that both stem and
seed end eyes have smaller buds than
middle eyes. The seed end eyes are
more crowded, and since they arc sit
uatcd at the growing end of the tub
crs the eyes are not 80 fully developed.
The stem and 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 of considera.
bic protoplasm, which was not con
sumcd in the previous sea'on's growth,
the seed end eyes may mature some.
what earlier than tie central ones. A
suggestion to cultiyators may not be
out of place hcrc-n namely, that they
make observation rs TO the number oi
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 W.
ought to be interested in the causes o.
these differences, and ask ourselve.
how much OF this can be ascrbcd tC
the mechanical preparation Of the soil
how much to manures and fertilizers
how much to the conditions OF the sea
sons, and last, but not least, how mucl
TO our mode of planting the tubor.