The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-02-22

4 Dept. les. East Hampton, Conn
ton it is possible TO plant as early as
/ September anu each succeeding month.
Depth of Planting.
Ire roots CT Young potato plant
g. oT, not directly from the seed piece.
LIT from the underground joints or
Eo1es Of the stern. From these under
ground nodes also grow the short
S temswhich Gear the tubers at their
e.-t~emitles. Hence the seed pieces
sho~ld lie placed deep enough in the
soil TO permit several of these joints
to form belc,6 the surface, so as to
a+-oro room for an ample supply IF
roots and tube~ bearing stems TO grow.
from the many experiments made to
ascertain the best depth for planting,
the results favor not less than inches
Gee, and not more than inches
inches would be a happy medium. Very
ceep Planting increases hthe labor in
ne -vestng and the danger Of deacieI
stand when the weather conditions are
uZl12S crG@le. Very shallow planting re-
1ucSs tie yield and INJURIES the quality
Of tie crop.
Rural Trench System.
The rural trench system consists in
la-ting the pieces in deep trenches,
1G6e esther by spa6e or blow. 1t off
c , l. C-4t Ol4SI lilGLIlCQS C414GIIy III the
eater care taken to secure thor
ough preparation beneath the potato.
To this end, after deep and vice
trenches are formed the bottoms are
ulFerized and a portion of the fine
earth, which vas removed in forum
the trenches is raked hack into the
burrows, so that the set is planted en-
.op of a layer OF fine, WELL prepared
soil ard at a. degth OF 4 to 6 inches.
Fertilizers are placed near the seed
2leces, above or below, but separated
rom them ~ a thin layer of soil
The trenches are then filed and level
culture IS practiced.
Time to Cut Seed Potatoes.
From many experiments conducted
20 learn the erect Of cutting seed po-
.atoeS many days or weeks in advance
Of Planting have shown varied RESULTS
-oncwhat according to the length Of
line that the cuts remain implanted.
out On the whole indicated no marked
Inference in productiveness between
latning freshly cut pieces and those
that had been cut for week or less.
Investigations show that a slight wilt
ing Of the seed pieces, increased the
yield on moist soils and in wet seasons.
suit reduced it on soils moi retentive
of water and in dry seasons.
On the whole, it appears that the
storing IF cut pieces for several days,
which sometimes becomes necessary,
IS attended with no great disadvan-
ages. OF course. due care should be
taken in such instances to prevent
aeating, and it may be well to dust the
cuttings with gysum Gland plaster) to
prevent excessive whiting.
Effect of Sprouting.
The growth of sprouts before plant
ing is made at the expense of the
tubers, from which they draw their
support. Hence if these shoots arc
rubbed of before planting, there is
total loss of the nutriment contained
in them. Moreover, numerous weak
shoots grow from the injured eye. To
prevent these evil consequences of
premature sprouting, seed potatoes are
stored in n dark, dry, cool place. In
spite of all precautions, the tubers
sometimes sprout; but when practiea-
bic only potatoes that have not sprout-
ed should be selected for planting.
If the eyes appear dormant in time
of planting, seed potatoes may be ex-
posed to the light and warmth for a
few days before planting, so as to pro-
mote termination and prompt growth.
Quantity of Seed Potatoes Per Acre.
A bushel of potatoes (slNtS@ noands)
may contain 240 quarter pound tubers.
When the seed pieces are planted
foot apart in 3-foot rows an acre re-
quires IA $50 sets. When tubers aver
aging 4 ounces are employed an acre
requires at these distances so bushels
for planting whole potatoes, so bushels
when halves are used and Is bushels
when quarters are planted. In a num-
Der of tests made the amount of seed
cut to 2-eyes, spaced IA feet, aver
aged 13 bushels per acre, the usual
range being from 10 to IA bushels.
The average amount of seed cut to sin
gle eyes was at these distances 6-3
bushels per acre, the usual range being
from to bushels, though the varie
ties with large tubers bearing few eyes
required considerably more seed.
The following table shows the aver
age results Of these tests including
potatoes Of all sizes:
Average Differences Per Acre in Total
Yields from Different Seed Pieces.
Bushels. Per CT.
Excess from use OF 3