The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1898-06-25
FARM AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO
AoRIcULTURISTs.
so-. Up-ts-Dats Hints About ca'-
tlvatisn Of tho soil and Yields
TAsreaf-Hsrtieuitars yitieaitare aud
RaOrieuitura


For some years now the subject OF
second crop seed potatoes has been
agitating the potato growers. A good
many agriculturists about came 10 the
conclusion that there must be some
thing In the claim that seed from sec
ond crop potatoes was Of more value
than that from the FIRST crop. This
belief was particularly advantageous
10 the southern potato growers IN
the north the season is too short 70
make Il possible 10 grow one crop .oI
commerce and another for seed. lh'A
threw the production OF second crop
seed potatoes into the south whete
the season IA long enough TO make u
possible 10 plant second crop OF 20.
tAtoes and bring them 10 a degree OF
maturity that would make them pos
sible for seed. Il should be said tha'
these second crop potatoes were no,
generally we'll matured at time OF
harvest and this was believed to be
an advantage. II Ia known that many
kinds Of plants produce seeds that can
be used for planting long before they
are mature. Green peas. At the tins
they are on the market as table cell
caeies. will grow II planted. Potatoes
not fully matured retain their plump.
mesa better than mature potatoes. and
this. says Mr. Read OF Wisconsin Is
the reason they produce. under some
conditions, better crops than mature
potatoes. They are really brought into
competition with potatoes that have
been poorly kept all winter. that have
been allowed 10 sprout one or more
times and have thus become soft ana
wrinkly.
The Arkansas experiment station
has taken up the question and has ioi
a number OF years been making care
ful comparisons between crops grown
from good FIRST crop northern see'
and second crop seed The result ha
been contrary 10 what they expected
They found that In nearly every cas-
the northern grown seed gave the bss
. results. In a large number OF experl
nentS there was only one case wher
the second crop potatoes did bette
4 than the FIRST crop seed. In ali thel
: tests during 1894 there was a dine
D enee OF twenty bushels per acre J
p marketable potatoes in favor Of u
o northern grown seed. During ls'
e there was a difference Of thirtes
Z buAhels per acre in favor OF the noFtl
e ern grown seed. During 1886 there vi
a difference OF more than sew
Y. bushels per acre In favor Of the mort
m ern grown seed. on the other hai
n the number Of unmarketable potato
ie was much greater from the secol
N crop seed. The northern grown,
ID FIRST crop seed. gave much earlier hi
vests-that Is. came 20 maturity
ID fore those from the second crop SCI
D. Thus. during the tests Of 1894 OF
or 1876 per cent OF the potatoes n
he northern grown seed we're culls. vh
ed Of the potatoes grown from seco
crop seed 235 were culls.
We are glad 20 be confirmed In
belief that mature seed IL best vi
I'm Il has been rightly kept. II IL In
IN oordance with all reason. as We kr
he that generally oisprings from imr
'ay ture parents have not the quail
in that have the offsprings Of mat
~ parents. Potatoes for seed must
icy carefully kept either In pits 10
IVY ground or Ia cool cellars or sior
m. rooms There should not be emo
10 heat present 10 start a growth