St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1914-04-11

HOW TO PRODUCE GOOD SEED
IRISH POTATOES.

HOW TO PRODUCE GOOD SEED
IRISH POTATOES.
This is the season Of the year when
the farmer should pay particular at.
tenttin to seed potatoes, and the use
of high-grade seed would increase the
returns from the potato crop Of the
country by many m llionh of dollars.
A conservative estimate of the IN
crease that might be expected from
the use of htgh-grade seed Is certain
| ly not less than 10 per cent. Such
an increase based on the average pro-
duction of the past five years would
amount to over 34,000,00O bushels,
having an approximate value of
S21, 100000. OF the many causes
which operate to produce a low av-
erage potato yield In this country,
pure seed is an important one. The
American potato grower pays too lit
tie attent on to his seed potatoes.
The European growers, especially
those Of Great Britain and Germany,
pay very strict attention to the quail
ty and quantity Of the seed they use.
By far the simplest and most prom
Using means of developing h gh-grade
seed potatoes is that of the tuber-
unit and hill-selection methods. The
former cons SITS in selecting from the
seed bin before planting time con-
siderable number Of the most per-
fectly shaped tubers of from to 8
ounces in weight. When planted
these tubers are quartered, as drop
ped, into four as nearly equal parts
as possible. This is done by splitting
the bud-eye clustor n each direct on
from seed to stem Of the tuber.
The four pieces of each tuber are
dropped consecut yely in the row, at
apart in the furrow. All tubers
showing discolorat on Of the flesh or
other evidence Of disease should be
rejected.
BY allowing al additional space
between each set of fours, the four
plants from each tuber are definitely
isolated from adjcln ng ones, and the
grower can readily observe any vari-
alton in vigor and uniformity be-
tween the units planted. This meth
cd also enables him to detect any
mixtures that may occur n the va
riety.
At digg ng time the product of
each unit is separately harvested and
a further selection made from the
marked units Of all those which
most nearly approach the size, shape
and smoothness desired. The select
ed tubers should be numbered with
both field and unit numbers and sep
arately placed N small sacks. From
each Of the I'm is retained 10 of the
best tubers should be selected for the
next seasons planting. It is des r
able to maintain the study of each
selection on the tnber-un:t bass the
following season. because it permits
a more accurate comparison of the
behavior of each.
The h.ll-selection, method cons sts
In mark ng the mess promising plants
during the growing season. At har-
veting time sa asss oniy those wdich
give greatest promise. Keep the
progeny Of each hsll separate. an
take the same data as outlined for
the tuber unit. Plant on the tuber-
IN t basis the followsng season. For
sake of uniformity a definite number
Of tubers-five or more-should be
planted from each h II selection.
From this point ON the methods given
In the tuber-unit work should be
followed.
The only requirements for the sue
cessful practice Of the two methods
Of seed selections are a reasonable |
degree OF pafnstaking effort on the
part of the grower. some 12-snch gar
den labels. a small par of balances,
! sufficient number of su table small |
sacks, and safe place in which to |
store the selected tubers until reuu r
I'D by the next seasons planting. In
addition to this the grower should I
have breeding plat in which each |
selections can be developed I
up to the point of field-rlanting stock. T
The selection of the breeding plat |
need not necessarily be divorced |
from the general field plat In most
cases it can be more conveniently |
handled f it is part of the regular |
field. All that is required IS to set |
aside as many rows as may be re-
luired to plant the selected tubers. /
These should be preferably on one
side of the field, SO that they can be
more readily observed. The plant /
ng burrows may be open and a fer
sil.zer d stributed with the potato
planter by removing the disks, and
setting the plow trife deeper. If
! plow is used IN covering, care
should be exercised to avoid displac-
ng the seed.-u. S. Pepartment of
agriculture. t