The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-29

VIVH 0uLlnS 0lu&l0 Oy6s bWC
eyes. half and whole potato planting,
was discussed and advocated by differ
emit writer's. The argument for single
eye cultivation are: s.More large tub.
on, closer planting, and consequently
= 9 profitable crop. My investi-
cations into the structure OF the So
called tseye' of the potato convince me
that single eye planting is in most
plants in accordance with natural laws
OF growth. We all have e how a
vigorous shoot on some tree or shrub
has absorbed the sap so that smaller
shoots below very slowly developed or
eventually died off. The so-called
law of Survival of the fttest'' 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 a
leaf or iower-bud on branches above
ground, many of these buds produce
ing a 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-
amining 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 1 have examined, ! invariably
found tho central germ to be from two
to four times the size of any of the
other; some which had sprouted to
the length of nearly an inch were ex-
amined, and, in a few instances only,
showed any of the minor germs which
had doubtless been absorbed by tho
central one. Again the few that wero
left did not increase in size, showing
that the more vigorous growth of the
central germ prevents the develop
menUt of the minor ones.
The presence of tho minor germs
Tor buds) is a wise provision Of ma.
turc. In case OF an accident to the
main germ, the minor ones will devel-
OPP, anA in this way they serve TO pre-
serve the species. Letting potatoes
sprout before planting, and then rub
bing them of, must necessarily be in
furious to the eyes, rs it requires the
developmentof 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 tuhers; while, on the other hand,
if the eye is forced to develop it's nil
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 a st mulating
fertilizer in the hill or drill, since that
will aid the vigorous growtl, of the
main germ in such a way as that the
minor germs will, perhaps, not de.
velop. andone strong plant will be the
result. Many writer's have found diff
ferences in the yield of ..stem end'
and s'seed endn eyes as well rs enid
die eyest l 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
uated at the growing end of the tub
ers the eyes are notso fully developed.
The stem and eyes, however, have
plenty Of room. and vat the buds arc
smaller than the middle ones. The
claim that they produce later tubers
is no doubt true. since they lack the
startstha the middle eyes have. s
Owing to the presence of considera-
Bile protoplasm, which was not con-
sumed in the previous seasons growth
the seed end eyes NAV mature some,
what earlier than the central ones a