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STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



IS IT ECONOMY TO THEOW AWAY THE SEED END OF POTATOES? 



To test this question we selected 25 tubers of each of three varieties, 

 and cutting them transversely into three equal portions, we had pieces from 

 the middle and from the seed and stem ends, of the same potatoes. 



This year a similar test was made, and below will be found a summary of 

 the results obtained, the results for 1889 also being given. 



Average of the results obtained in 1889. 



It will be seen that in both years the middle seed pieces have given best 

 results, but it has happened that, in both trials, these have been slightly 

 heavier than the seed end pieces, and the average yield above seed shows 

 little difference between the seed and middle portions. The stem end gave 

 in both years a smaller yield than either of the others. 



One reason given for cutting off the seed end, is that the crop raised 

 from that end would contain a large proportion of small tubers, but our 

 trials show, for both years, a smaller yield of unmerchantable tubers from 

 the seed end than from either of the other portions. 



The test has now been conducted for two years, with five different varie- 

 ties and under various conditions, but with results that seem to us con- 

 clusive that a given weight of the seed end is as valuable as an equal 

 weight from the middle of the tuber. The average yield from the stem 

 end, however, is considerably less than from either of the other portions, 

 the difference being greater than the amount required for seed. This 

 indicates that when cutting to small pieces, it is well not to use the stem 

 end as, the eyes being weak and poorly developed, the crop will be les- 

 sened. Never use the stem end of a potato for seed unless the piece is 

 large enough to include one or more strong eyes from the middle of the 

 tuber. By cutting seed lengthwise this is secured. 



