336 Miscoiiri Si ale Horticultural Society. 



depth of planting, this period is so long that no inconsiderable 

 support is derived from the seed before other sources supply the 

 plant. The reason of the failure of one eye this season, in new 

 hands, to appear above ground, I ascribe in part to unusual depth 

 in planting and the failure of nourishment to give it vigor for the 

 three weeks in which it is opening its leaves to the air. That this 

 nourishment is often of vital importance is seen m the far greater 

 vigor of plants from large seed against seed cut or ago lust small 

 potatoes. The leaf is broader, the stem stronger, and the whole 

 top, always in my experience, much in advance of those tops grown 

 from severely-cut potatoes or those grown from small potaitoes." 



In reference to the reports from farmers who found, or think 

 they found, by one measurement by the eye, that light seeding is 

 as good as heavy. Professor Sanborn infers that this result has 

 usually been in cases of extra rich soil, or heavy manuring, fine 

 pulverization and planting not too deep : 



"Such conditions give to the plant, food relatively quick, 

 through its roots in abundance. I found that the relative results 

 vary with the season. Thus the more favorable the season and the 

 better the conditions the greater the relative yield from light seeding. 

 Our farmers must then bear in mind that the good results reported 

 from light seeding of potatoes are ofte t>gu esses ; generally from 

 market gardeners, or obtained undei* favorable conditions, while the 

 failures are not reported. Good conditions you want." 



For the benefit of those who may like to see the figures upon 

 which the above conclusions are founded we append the table giving 

 average returns for seven years from measured ground and weighed 

 potatoes, the product of two farms and in agreement Avith unre- 

 corded results on a third farm. 



PRODUCT PER ACRE, 



From seed of whole potatoes, large 334.1 bushels. 



From seed of whole potatoes, small 177. bushels. 



From seed of stem end of potato 148. bushels. 



From seed of seed end of potato 168. bushels. 



From one eye to the hill 81. bushels. 



From two eyes to the hill 104. bushels. 



From three eyes to the hill 160. bushels. 



