ROOT CKul's. 



IM 



with strong vegetative power, it is essential that ail heating and fermenta- 

 tion be avoided from the time the potatoes are taken out ol the ground 

 until planted. 



As the condition of the seed has a big inhuence upon the yield, the follow- 

 ing methods of treatment are recommended: — (1) Place the seed tubers in 

 shallow boxes or trays, and store in a well ventilated and lighted room. 

 The trays should be made with the ends higher than the sides; this will 

 admit light and allow of a proper ventilation. By this method it will be 

 found that the buds are short, dense, full of colour, and sturdy enough to 

 resist fairly rough handling. Potatoes stored in this manner are not so 

 liable to rot, and any diseased tubers can readily be removed, together with 

 any that have produced weak shoots. The chief advantages of this system 



Tuber cut for three sets. 



are that the sets produce tine, healthy plants, and are in readiness for an 

 early planting. As early crops are more likely to escape blight, this is in 

 itself a big advantage in its favour. (2) A modification of the above method, 

 which would involve less labour, would be to spread the seed as shallow as 

 possible on the floor of a shed; or (3) store in a rick made of saplings, the 

 floor of which should be about 6 or 12 inches above the ground level. The 

 spaces between the saplings would allow plenty of ventilation. 



For autumn planting on the coast only whole tubers should be used, as 

 under humid conditions cut seed is liable to rot. 



The amount of seed required to plant an acre varies according to the 

 -i/.o of the seed and distance apart, ranging from 7 cwt. to 13 cwt. per acre. 



r 54797— Q 



