• 



EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 359 



desire a large yield of potatoes from a very limited amount of seed, as is 

 the case when one buys a few pounds of a new variety of potato at an 

 enormous price, or when one has discovered, and wishes to grow, a superior 

 seedling. 



The method of procedure is as follows: The potatoes are cut into 

 halves and planted cut side down in a hot-bed where the temperature can 

 be maintained at 60 to 70 degrees. When the sprouts are three or four 

 inches high they should be cut off about an inch from the surface of the 

 potato. Place the cuttings in a box of pure sand, water them well, and 

 shade them for a few days, keeping them in the hot bed where they will have 

 bottom heat. In about three weeks they will have rooted, when they 

 should be transplanted into small pots or boxes of fairly rich soil, and 

 kept in a mild temperature until large enough to plant in the field. The 

 same process may be continued time after time, as the potatoes will con- 

 tinue to sprout until perhaps a dozen shoots are taken from each eye. It 

 must be remembered that the plants thus started are weaklings and need 

 the very best of care. At the station this year we grew 111^ pounds of 

 Carman potatoes from four small potatoes (less than one pound of seed), 

 and this in an adverse season, 



SEEDLING POTATOES. 



The potato is one of the easiest and most constant subjects for the plant 

 improver. Since propagation by tuber is simply plant division, and not 

 really reproduction, it naturally follows that after long cultivation a variety 

 of potato becomes weak in constitution and finally worthless. To-day, 

 hardly one of the popular sorts of fifteen years ago is grown. The 

 production of new varieties is an absolute necessity, and of widespread 

 importance. 



In cross-breeding potatoes, the pollen must be transferred from 

 the flower of one ; variety to the stigma of the flower of another. 

 The stamens of the' flower to be used as the female should be cut away (it 

 is best done with a pair of small scissors), ^efore the pollen in them is ripe. 

 To prevent insects from carrying pollen from other flowers, the one fertil- 

 ized should be covered with a small paper bag. When the pollen is 

 ripe take a flower from the stalk of the male parent and shake the dry, 

 powdery pollen on the mucous surface of the stigma of the flower to be 

 fertilized. Cut off all flowers on the plant that are not wanted. When 

 the potato balls are" ripe the seed, may be obtained by mashing them and 

 washing out the pulp. Sow them indoors, as you would tomato seed, and 

 when a few inches high transplant into a hot-bed or flats in the house, 

 and then to the open field. A great number of small potatoes will be the 

 result, and these should be planted in the ordinary way, each year saving 

 only the best. In making a selection of a seedling variety you wish to 

 perpetuate, it is best to have in mind the characteristics desired and then 

 make selections accordingly. It will take three or four years, at least, 

 with close selection, to fully establish a new variety. Intelligence, long- 

 continued carefulness, and perseverance are required to originate a good 

 variety of potato. 



GENERAL NOTES. 



Potatoes often fail to come up because they are scalded when planted; 

 drills fchould never be made long before the seed is to be planted. When 

 exposed a few hours to a hot sun the earth becomes so dry and heated 



