Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-29

affords the larger yields, but a stiff
soil and the desire for all extra early
crop sometimes necessitates planting
on ridges.
The best time for planting depends
on the climate Of each locality the
planting should be SO timed as to
bring the period when the tubers are
rapidly forming at a date when the
average rainfall is ample
On mellow, well-drained soil deep
planting Uhree to five inches) is best
especially when the season happens 60
be dry. For the early crop. or on stiff
soil with tendency to bake. the depth
of planting may be decreased.
The use of the harrow before the
plants are all up and frequent shallow
cultivation afterwards until the vines
shade the land are advisable.
Seed potatoes grown in New Eng
land in several tests proved superior to
Maryland seed both in New England
and in Maryland. However, the data
seem insufficient to determine definite
~ the relative Of seed potatoes from
different climates.
Cutting the seed pieces a few days
before planting appears to exercise no
injurious influence, provided, Of course,
that the cuttings are carefully stored
in the interim
The yield from planting the seed or
bud end is generally greater than from
The stem or butt end Of the tuber. The
eyes on the seed end are the first to
gcrminate and hence are especially
important when an early crop is de-
sired.
Exposing unsprouted tubers in a
warm place before planting hastens
growth. but if continued until sprouts
form (Which are rubbed off the yield
may be considerably reduced
Experiments indicate that it is more
important to cut the tuber into com
pact pieces of nearly uniform size than
to SO shape the pieces as to have
definite number of eyes on each set
No piece should be entirely devoid Of
eyes, and the majority Of the seed
pieces should be large enough to sup
port at least two eyes and better three
or more.
a distances of one by three feet, and
with seed tubers averaging four
ounces. an acre requires OF quarters
about Il bushels.
The total yield increases with every
increase in the size Of seed piece from
the single eye 10 the whole potato: this
increase occurs both In the large and
in the small potatoes. but chiefly In the
latter.
The gross yield of salable potatoes
large and medium) also increases with
the size OF the seed piece from one eye
To The Whole potatp
The net yield Of salable potatoes j
found by subtracting the amount o.;
seed potatoes and the yield of small
potatoes from the total yield increases
with every increase in the size of seed
piece from one eye to the half potato.
The half potato affords a larger net
saiahie crop than the whole potato on
account Of the excessive amount OF
seed required in planting entire tubers.
Taking the average of many expert
ments 1t was found that for every led
bushels Of net salable crop grown from
single eyes there were ia bushels from
tvvo-ey. pieces, III bushels from
quarters. and 1879 bushels from halves,
but only f29 bushels from planting
whole potatoes.
These results favor the use of halves
as seed pieces If seed potatoes and crop
arc assumed to be Of equal value per
bushel but when seed potatoes com
mard a very high price quarters may
be used to advantage.