566 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



moisture than a smaller number of plants, often with a consequent 

 failure of any of the plants to develop a normal amount of tubers. 

 Large seed is likely to produce a full stand, but the stand may be too 

 full for the available plant food and moisture ; while small seed pieces 

 are much more subject to decay or weak development under unfavorable 

 soil conditions. Whole seed has the advantage over cut seed in that 

 there are no wounds which need to heal over or which invite the 

 entrance of destructive bacteria or fungi. Since the bud eyes have the 

 first use of the food supply of the tuber, if the seed is to be cut the bud 

 end should be divided, as in that way two pieces, at least, contain a 

 portion of the bud cluster of eyes and these make the earliest and 

 strongest plants. 



