The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-05-07
seem to be we'll illustrated in the
growth OF our high forest trees by the

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 tie lower ones.
Since the potato tuber is nothing
else than an underground branch,
what we call an eye is analogous to a
leaf or hower-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 ex-
amlning them under a microscope,
we ind 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 examined, | Invariably
found the central germ to be from two
to four times the size of anv of the
other; some which had sprouted to
the length of nearly an inch were ex-
amined, 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 the develop
ment of the minor ones.
Ihe presence of the minor germs
Cor buds) is wise provision Of ma.
ture. In case Of an accident to the
main germ, the minor ones will devel-
op, and in this way they serve to pre-
serve the species. Letting potatoes
sprout before planting; and then rub
bing them off, must necessarily be I'M
furious to the eyes; as it REQUIRES the
development of the minor germs, which
will be weaker, unless an abundant
supply 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 vigorous plant, and may expect
large tubers; while, on the other hand,
if the eye is forced to develop it's 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 be strong enough to pro-
duce large tubers.
Here it seems to me an advantage is
to be gained by using stimulating
fertilizer in the hill or drill, since that
will aid the vigorous growth of the
main germ id such way as that the
minor germs will, perhaps, hot de.
Velop, and oae strong plant will be the
result. Many writer's have found diff;
ferences in the yield of ''stem end'
and ''seed end" eyes as we'll as ''mid;
die" eyes! notice that both stem and
seed end eyes have smaller buds than
middle eyes. The seed end eyes are
more crowded, and since they are sit
uaued at the growing end of the tub
ers the eyes are not 20 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-
BILE pfotoplasrt1; which was not con.
sumed in the previous seaSon's growth;
the seed end eyes may mature some
what earlier than the central ones. A
suggestion to cultivators may not be
out of place here-namely, that they
make observation 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 interested in the causes of
these differences, and ask ourselves
how much of this can be ascrlbed to
the mechanical preparation of the soil,
how much to manures and fertilizers
how much to the conditions of tic sea
soL-. nd last, but not least, how much
to our mode of planting the tuber: