148 STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE BULLETINS 



total or marketable yields are given for the different amounts of seed. 

 Almost universally the total and marketable yields increase with the 

 increased amount of seed used; but it frequently happens that the 

 increase in the yield is not sufficient to cover the cost of the greater 

 amount of seed required. For example, we find in every experiment 

 where we are able to compare the wholes and halves, as in Michigan, 

 New York, and Ohio, (See table LVI, p. 49), that the wholes give 

 the greater total yield. But if we average the results from the wholes 

 and halves in the table referred to (p. 49) we get an average of 223 

 bushels per acre from the wholes and 188 bushels from the halves. The 

 difference in the marketable yield is not so marked, the av.erage from the 

 wholes being 179 bushels per acre, and 166 bushels for the halves. 



Now if we deduct from the value of the crop in the fall, the value of 

 the seed used in the spring, the result is (^uite different. Out of the ten 

 experiments as shown in the table (p. 49), 5 are in favor of the half 

 potato, and 5 in favor of the whole potato, with a final average result in net 

 value of a few cents in favor of the half potato. In reality the whole 

 question of amount of seed is not what gives the greatest yield, but 

 what amount gives the greatest profit. When seed is high in the spring 

 it will generally be advisable not to plant whole potatoes at ordinary 

 distances, but when they are very cheap it will generally pay. 



In all of our experiments it has been very noticeable that the smaller 

 amounts of seed are unable to overcome unfavorable conditions. In 

 dry seasons there were many vacant hills. On the other hand where very 

 large amounts of seed are used (30 to 60 bushels per acre), if the season 

 is unfavorable and the yield light, the crop is frequently but little in 

 excess of the seed planted. It has also been noticeable that an increase 

 in seed planted, prodiices a somewhat larger increase in the small potatoes 

 than in the marketable potatoes, but the difference is not very marked. 



As will readily be inferred, the cutting out of eyes to plant, or the use 

 of small potatoes for seed is to be condemned. The latter is practiced in 

 some sections of the State by farmers, and not only lessens the profit the 

 first years, but if followed for a series of years will tend towards rapid 

 deterioriation. 



The larger amounts of seed give a more vigorous growth of vines, and 

 the crop matures earlier. The potatoes on the whole tuber plats ripen 

 from five to ten days earlier than potatoes on the single eye plats. This- 

 has also been noticed at other stations. 



The computation of net value of crops is based on the following table of 

 prices, which gives the average prices in fall and spring for the past ten 

 years. The figures in the table were takoji from the " Michigan Farmer," 

 and were the prices actually paid for carload lots in the Detroit market 

 during the period of marketing in the fall and in the month of April, pre- 

 ceding the time of planting. The prices received by farmers through- 

 out the State will be somewhat less than those given above, but this will 

 not alter the comparative results. In computing the net value of crop 

 50c is used for seed and 44c per bushel for crop (marketable yield). 

 Though these figures differ slightly from the actual averages we use 

 them for convenience in figuring, as the variation is too slight to make 

 any material difference in the results. The small potatoes have not been 

 taken into consideration in estimating the value of the crop. Ordinarily 

 they will just about pay for the handling. If any farmer considers that, 



