PROPAGATION. 59 



on each cut "* set," removing the others. The accompany- 

 ing sketch shows a method of cutting up a tuber into as 

 many " sets " as possible. In this case, every eye is used, 

 and consequently many of them are very small indeed. 

 The dotted lines show how each set is cut from the tuber. 

 We only advise this plan in the case of a very choice sort 

 which it is desired to make as many of as possible. 



CHAPTER VII. 



TUBERS OR "SETS" FOR PLANTING. 



THE subject of size of " sets " for planting, and their treat- 

 ment previous to planting, is of sufficient importance to 

 be considered in a separate chapter. There is, among 

 growers, a diversity of opinion as to whether small, 

 medium, or large tubers are best to use as " sets," but 

 there are no two opinions about the wisdom of paying pro- 

 per attention to the " boxing " and " sprouting " of the 

 tubers intended to be used as " sets." However, we will 

 deal fully with both matters. 



Size of " Sets " or " Seed Tubers." Some 

 growers use the smallest type of tubers known as " chats." 

 This, of course, is done from motives of economy, the 

 largest tubers being used for cooking or sold. Now, such 

 small tubers have necessarily weak eyes, which will in 

 turn give birth to weakly shoots and a poor crop of inferior 

 tubers. Unless, therefore, the variety be a scarce or ex- 

 pensive one, it is an unwise policy to use tubers of the 

 smaller or " chat " size as " sets." Such tubers are far 



