838 POTATOES/ 



Bliss says: &quot; Cutting is one of the most important subjects to be considered in the propaga 

 tion of potatoes, and there is such a diversity of opinions regarding the manner and method 

 of doing it, that many pages could be filled in giving the different experiences of the pro 

 fessors in this art. While we do not attempt to decide this question to the satisfaction of 

 every one, we shall give our own views, and claim that in our method an enormous quantity 

 of the tubers now annually planted may be thrown into the market, causing a reduction in 

 the prices charged for this common and necessary crop. 



Without discussing the respective merits of planting whole potatoes, or half a dozen 

 pieces in a hill, each piece containing three or four eyes, we shall state what has been proven 

 by so many cultivators, that two good eyes are ample for one hill, and the yield of large, 

 marketable potatoes is larger than when more are planted.&quot; 



This practice will seem a small allowance for a field crop by those who have been accus 

 tomed to use a larger quantity; still, we know it has many advocates, and that too much seed 

 is usually planted, which results in crowding in the hills, and producing a large number of 

 veiy small tubers, which are nearly worthless, except as food for farm animals, too much 

 seed being as detrimental to the crop as too little. 



Mr. Terry, of Summit county, Ohio, gives the result of his method of planting a single 

 eye, as follows: &quot; For seed I use only the very choicest specimens, of perfect shape, in size 

 varying from medium to large, having large, strong eyes. 



These potatoes are cut to one eye. At the seed end one eye is left on, and the others 

 cut off and thrown away. The most expert and careful hands are set at this job. One piece 

 is dropped every 12 to 14 inches in the drill, and the drills are made 32 inches apart, for such 

 varieties as Clark s No. 1, Early Rose, Beauty of Hebron, and Snowflake. The cutting and 

 dropping are done the same day, and, if the sun shines, the coverer follows the droppers 

 closely. Such seed, cut to one eye and put in as I have described, will produce fewer 

 potatoes to the hill usually, but, with moderately favorable weather and good care, they will 

 be large and fine, and of No. 1 quality. On this point I will give a little of my experience, 

 to show whether it pays to take all this trouble or not. 



A few years ago potatoes were very low in the market to which I go. Early in July I 

 took a sample of large, fine ones, and spent all day in trying to get an order for a load at 40 

 cents. At last A decided to buy a load, they were such beauties. The market was full of 

 ordinary potatoes, and at no time did they sell for more than 25 cents. After this I had to 

 work night and day to supply the demand, and made a fair profit, whereas at 25 cents I 

 should have lost money. 



Two years ago the season was favorable, and my potatoes were very large and fine. I 

 took my first load (30 bushels from 16 square rods) to a very particular customer. There 

 were bushels of potatoes in it that would weigh one pound each. I had nearly 2,000 bushels 

 of those potatoes, and within three days they were all spoken for at my price. I have passed 

 men drawing their potatoes home (small, dirty-looking things), unable to get a bid, at a time 

 when I was over- working men and teams to supply the demand, and they would say: Terry, 

 you are the luckiest man I ever knew. There was no luck about it; I simply did the best I 

 could to raise a choice article and get it to the market in nice shape. The way is open to all. 

 Luck rarely comes to those who do not strive for it. It pays on the farm, as well as else 

 where, to do everything the very best we know how, and in such a manner as to secure the 

 very best possible results.&quot; 



The quantity of seed will vary somewhat with the soil and variety, and we would advise 

 each farmer to experiment for himself, which can be very easily done by marking off some 

 small portion of his potato-field for this purpose, first preparing it so that it will be of 

 uniform fertility. By planting one row of hills with a single eye, another with two eyes, 

 another with three, then with four, etc., on the same field, giving each the same cultivation 



