West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-05-22
POTATOES.
Reasons which Induce the Belief that Sim
gle-Eye Planting Is tho 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, rs 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 sing.e-eye cultiva-
ton arc: More large tubers, closer
planting, and consequently more
profitable crop.
My Investigations into the so-callel
''eye" Of the potato convince me that
single-eyo planting is in most plants i'm
accordance with the natural laws of
growth. We all have seen how a viz
orous shoot on some tree or shrub has
absorbed the sap so that smaller shoots
below very slowly developed or eventu-
ally died OIL The so-called law of Sur
viyal of the Fittest, would seem to lie
well 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 a leaf or
fower-bud on branches above ground
many of these buds producing num-
Der of leaflets or flowers, as i'm the case
of the cherry or apple. The same num-
ha "a 1hnAta /. II.
OF the potato; thus, in examining them
under microscope, we find from one
to sin germs in an eye. In the Early
Rose | seldom met with more than
three, while Burbank, Beauty of Hebron
aud Snowflake have as high a5 six
germs or buds. Now, i'm all have ex-
am ned, invariably found the central
germ TO be from two TO four times the
size OF any of tae others; some which
had sprouted TO the length OF nearly an
inch were examined, and in a few in
stances only showed any OF the minor
germs which had doubtless been alb
sorbcd 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 (or
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
blng them Oft must necessarily he in
furious TO the eyes. as it requires the
development Of the minor germs, which
W. hn a.
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 10 produce large tubers.
Here it seems TO me an ADVANTAGE is
to b. gained by using a stimulating fer
tilizer in the hill or drill. since that will
and 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 "stcm end" and "sced
end eyes as we'll rs middle" eyes.
notice that both stem and seed end
eve have smaller buds than middle
eyes The seed and eve 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 tubcrs is no doubt true.
since they lack the start that the middle
eyes have
Owing to the presence Of considerable
protOplasm, which was not consumed
IN the previous seasons growth. the
seed end eyes may mature somewhat
earlier than the central ones
suggestion 90 cult'vators NAV not
Boz out of place here. namely. that they
make observations a. 10 the number of
stalks produced in single eve planting.
tosct how many Of the minor germs will
develop.
The yield Of the potato varies 10 much
ln quantity Chat we ought 90 be inter
cstcd bro the causes Of these differences.
and ask ourselves how much Of This
can be ascribcd To- the mechanical pre-
parauon Of the soil. how much 20
manures and fertilizers, how much %
the conditions of the seasons. and last.
but no least. how much 90 our mode Of
planting The tubcr? Cor. Country
Gentleman