Sharp County record., 1885-05-21
POTATOES.

cIe-Eye Planting Is tne 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 writer's
The arguments for single-eye cultlVa-
tion are: More large tubers, closer
planting, and consequently more
profitable crop.
My investigations into the so-called
'eye" 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 ylg-
lOrous shoot on some tree or shrub has
absorbed the sap so that smaller shoots
below very slowly developed or eventu-
nv died off. The so-called law of Sur
i of the Fittest,' would seem to be
illustrated in the growth OF our
81 4 forest trees, by the vigorous
~ with of the topmost branches and
aealh of the lower ones.
Since the potato tuber is nothing else
than an underground branch, what we
call an eve is analogous to leaf or
flower bud on branches above ground,
many of these buds producing a num-
ber of leaflets or flowers, as in the case
of the cherry or apple. The same num-
ber of shoots are produced by the eye
of the potato; thus, in examining them
under microscope, we find from one
Ito 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-
amned, l 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 pot 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 (oI
buds) is a wise provision OF nature In
case of an accident to the main germ,
minor -onas will, more or less
develop, and in this way they serve to
preserve the species. Letting potatoes
s. Sprout before planting, and then rub
bing them off, must necessarily te in
furious to the eyes, as it requires the
: ldeyelonpent Of The minor germs, which stih
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
forous plant. and may expect large
itubers; 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 it seems to me an advantage is
Ito be gained by using stimulat ng fer
ltilizer in the hill or drill, since that will
aid the vigorous growth of the main
lgerm in such a way as that the minor
germs will, perhaps, not develop, and
lone strong plant will be the result.
Many writers have found differences
lin the yield of ''stem end" and ''seed
lend" eyes as well as middle" eyes.
II notice that both stem and seed end
feye, have smaller buds than middle
eyes The seed and eye are more
Icrowded, and since they are situated
lat the growing end of the tubers, the
Ieyes are not so fully developed. The
stem end eyes, however, have plenty OF
room, and yet the buds are smaller than
I the middle ones. The claim that they
iproduce later tubers is no doubt true,
since they lack the start that the middle
eyes have.
Owing to the presence of considerable
nrotoplasm, which was not consumed
I'm the previous seasons growth, the
seed end eyes may mature somewhat
earlier than the central ones.
A suggestion to cultivators may not
be out of place here; namely, that they
make observations as to the number OF
stalks produced in single eye planting,
Ito see how many of the minor germs will
develop.
The yield of the potato varies so much
lin quantity that we ought to be inter
Iested ia the causes of these differences,
and ask ourselves how much of this
can be ascribed to the mechanical pre-
tparation of the soil, how much to
manures and fertilizers, how much to
the conditions of the seasons, and last,
but no least, how much to our mode of