New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-12-31
SECOND CROP OF IRISH Pc.
TATOES AS SEED FOR
SPRING PLANTING.

Owing to the high price that
Southern growers have to pay
for northern-grown seed, especial.
" the Red Bliss Triumph, the fol
lowing extract from Farmers Bull
letin 407. "The Potato as a Truck
Crop will be Of interest, partic-
uarly since the chief objection 10
southern-grown seed is that it viii
not mature crop as quickly as
the nOrthern-grown
"The seed for the second crop
is, as a rule, saved from the early
crop, the tubers being stored i'll
q well-ventilated shed, where
they are protected from the direct
action of the sun and from
storms until about ten days or
two weeks before the time of
planting, when they are spread
thinly upon the ground and light
ly covered with straw or litter to
partially protect them from the
sun. Under these conditions the
tubers quickly green and all
those suitable for seed will de-
velop sprouts. AS soon as the
sprouts are visible, and before
thew are large enough to be rubbed
off in handling, the potatoes are
ready to plant The product of
this plant ing gives crop of
partially matured tubers which
are held over winter for spring
planting. This practive gives ex-
cellent results in many localities,
and is found to be more econom-
zeal than the purchase of northern
grown seed. Those following the
method should carefully observe
the quality and 4 ED of the crop
for the purpose of determining
whether or not it is deteriorating
under this treatment. In general,
it is believed that it vii. be with
in the limits of good practice to
secure every second or third year
enough northern-grown seed to
supply seed for the second crop.
A novel practice for securing |
quick growth from second-crop
seed has been developed by sue
cessful potato grower in Texas.
The method consists in storing the
tubers of the second crop in
tight building, which, by the use
of artificial heat. can be kept
frost-proof. AT harvest time the
tubers are placed in slated crates
and the temperature of the stor-
age house held as low as practic-
able without freezing until four or
six weeks before planting time,
when the temperature is raised to
6S or 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This
is maintsa ned until
the eyes of the potatoes show ac-
tivity The sprouts should not be
allowed to develop any consider
able length before planting the
tubers. on account of danger of
breaking them in the necessary
at planting time. If the
sprouts are ne-eighth Of an inch
" less in length there should be t
tile loss from handing. If the 9
house can be well lighted at the /
me the temperature is raised, the 9
prouts that develop w.ll be much il
outer than those deve oped in {
he dark. This plan provides a r
ongenial temperature for the p
termination of the tubers and .
lakes it possible to delay plant v
lg until outside conditions are a
enerally favorable for the rapid Fl
rowth of the plants, and to use a
Or seed those tubers which are t,
ctually viabel. With good prep
ration and cultivation this meth Ia
4 should give perfect stand and Of
decidedly increased yield. to- W
ether with the early maturity of it
he crop" d
Every Irish potato grower al
lould have a copy Of the above la
llletin, which can be obtained
zee on application to the Secre- is
ry of Agriculture, Washington. &C
C. III