The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1920-04-29
HOW TO PREPARE
YOUR SEED POTATOES
(By Gordon q. Brown

The writer wishes briefly to refer to
four very important considerations with
reference to the handling of seed pota-
toes. This is year especially when a
knowledge of how to use high priced
seed and incidentally high priced land
and labor is essential. The following
have been dealt with at some time by
various experiment stations in the
United States. They are:
/. Large versus small tubers for
seed.
2. Whole versus cut seed.
3. Large versus small seed pieces.
4. The nubmer of eyes.
A great deal of confusion has arisen
in interpreting the results of expert
ments bearing upon these points be-
cause in many instances very impor-
tant related factor has not received due
consideration that is, the amount of
seed per acre. To illustrate: In tests
comparing the Influence on yield of
whole. half. quarter and eighth tubers,
the results usually favor the whole tu-
ber. The conclusion, therefore, was,
that the larger the seed piece planted,
the greater the yield is likely to be.
In reality, eight times as much seed
is used to the acre when whole seed is
used as where eighth tubcrs are plant
ed. If grain were used instead of p0-
tatoes the credit would be given to the
difference in the amount of seed plant
ed per unit of area and total yields.
Many experiments have, therefore, in
reality not shown that whole tubers are
to be preferred to eighth tubers, pro
vided the eighth tubers were planted
annnnh .nlyuaW a
consume the same amount of seed as
would be used IN case whole tubers
were planted.
Let us consider the first point raised, |
large versus small whole tubers for |
seed. Here. obviously. the estimated |
relative value OF large versus small tn.
bers is probably the controlling factor, |
in the mind of the grower. Extensive |
experiments show that the gross yield |
is increased as the size of the tuber is
increased. This was also true of the |
marketable yield. In few instances,
owing 10 the increase in the number of |
stalks per hill as the size of tuber in.
creased, the rSetable yield was not |
greatest from the largest seed potatoes |
1t must be concluded, however, that |
large whole seed is better than small |
whole seed under equidstance of plant
ing only because Of the greater weight |
of seed used
The cost of labor and seed has an i'm
pOrtant bearing upon the question Of |
whole versus cut seed, but no reliable
data is available.
The high cost Of seed favors cutting
at present. Most literature deals with
a third consideration, that of yields.
Cutting a seed tuber at once allows a |
loss of cell sap and permits the en-
trance of producing soil fungi and bac-
terra. On the Iother hand there is
distinct advantage in cutting. Whereas |
whole tubers planted or terminated
above ground normally develop only Il
sprouts near the seed end, cutting such II
tubers, both basal and end ewes may lie Il
made 10 grow. The more ready en-
trance of oxygen TO the potato as a
result Of cutting enhances gowth which II
would otherwise remain dormant and II
never function. This indicates II
a more economical use Of seed potatoes
han planting them whole. Aicher and
Nelch, of Idaho experiment station,
made a three year test of whole and |
ut seed and while obtaining greater
otal yield from whole seed, the great
sr marketable yield IN all cases was
rom cut seed. These tests are not a
rue criterion Of relative value of whole
'ersus cut seed as far more seed per
icre was used in the case Of the whole
eed. The best test Of this question
vas made by the New York experiment
tation when equal weight Of seed
lieces Of whole and cut tubers was
lsed per acre. Whereas about equal
otal yield was obtained from the cut
md the whole seed. the marketable
.ield from cut seed was nearly double
hat from whole seed. Apparently
With equal rates of planting cut seed is
he more economical
Experiments Of Emerson, Of Nebras-
a, and Zavitz, Of Ontario, tested large
ersus small seed pieces thoroughly.
.merson planted eighth. quarter and
alf tuber pieces, 8. II and p inches
part. respectively, this using IS BUSH
is per acre. respectively, IN each case.
his gave him greatest total WELD per
ere from the quarter tuber and lowest
Jtal yield from the half tuber. ZavitE
1mpared yields from one and two
1nce pieces, the one ounce piece being
lanted twice as close in the row As the
40 ounce pieces, thus consuming the
ime weight Of seed per acre. Here
$50. the greatest total marketable and B
et yield came from the one ounce
.eces. We may conclude from the two