702 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



The other extreme has been the planting of pieces cut to a single 

 eye. Good results have been obtained from such planting. Kevert- 

 ing to our rule laid down, the number of plants in the hill is kept 

 small, favoring quality in the product of the hill. But for the single- 

 eye cutting, when quite small, we must have the same soil condi- 

 tions that we have found to give a good yield from seed of somewhat 

 impaired vigor — one that is very rich in available plant food and that 

 is in a fine state of cultivation. The small cutting does not contain 

 much material for forcing growth, and the plant is quickly dependent 

 upon the soil. If conditions are not highly favorable to the plant, 

 there will be a smaller yield than w'ould be gotten from more liberal 

 seeding. The advantages are, reduced setting, which ordinarly is 

 too free when plants are numerous, and reduced cost of seeding. 

 There have been so many grievous disappointments from the use 

 of single-eye cuttings in soil unfitted for such seeding that I recom- 

 mend such only to the grower providing garden conditions, and even 

 then only in case of certain varieties whose great fault is free setting 

 of tubers. 



The Middle Ground. — Basing the conclusion upon many years per- 

 sonal experience and upon the experience of many at Stations and 

 upon farms, the safe course for the average grower of potatoes, 

 planted in the spring, is to use a seed piece of good size, such as will 

 ordinarily contain two strong buds. I regard the size of the seed 

 piece rather than the number of eyes. If there be sufficient nourish- 

 ment, a single eye, being a compound bud, may send out two sprouts: 

 if there be three eyes on the seed piece and insufficient nourishment 

 for three sprouts, it is very often the case that only two will be sent 

 to the surface of the ground. A piece of potato of this size does not 

 dry out as quickly as a smaller one, pushes growth more surely, and 

 is not unduly expensive. 



As has been said", much depends upon the variety and its habit of 

 setting, and even more depends upon the tilth and strength of the 

 soil. Good judgment is a decided acquisition in potato-growing, com- 

 ing into profitable use at every step. Our endeavor only is to indi- 

 cate the nature of the plant we grow, and the probabilities, based 

 upon average conditions. As conditions vary, there must be varia- 

 tion in method to meet them. 



Machines for cutting are used with satisfaction by many growers. 

 My individual preference for the hand-knife is due to the greater 

 degree of carefulness that can be exercised when cutting by hand. 

 Bad tubers are more surely discovered, and there is adjustment of 

 size according to position of the buds so that no piece is left without 

 a bud. 



Much has been written about the cells that lead to the bude. and 

 the advisability of cutting each piece in such a way that the branch 

 cells from the central one are not disturbed. This is done by hold- 



