5 12 



that part of the GUIDE specially devoted to soils and manuring, and 

 in these notes it is only necessary to say that whatever kind of 

 manure is used potash should always he liberally supplied. 



PREPARING SEED POTATOES. 



This apparently simple operation is too often put past lightly, 

 and without having due heed paid to the importance involved. As 

 in the case of all other kinds of crops, the ultimate success of the 

 potato crop depends very materially upon the character of seed 

 deposited in the soil. Opinion, we may safely assume, is pretty 

 well agreed that soundness and a high degree of vitality are essential 

 qualities in the seed. Apart from these generally accepted qualifica- 

 tions, however, there are other questions of considerable influence 

 which will amply repay full and careful investigation and observa- 

 tion. The point as to whether potatoes should be planted whole 

 or cut into parts or " sets " is, as yet, widely disputed. With a large 

 and important section of potato-growers the use of whole seed 

 is preferred. It is claimed by supporters of that system that the 

 extra cost entailed by the greater weight of tubers required is 

 abundantly recouped by the better results obtained. The entire 

 seed, they maintain, produces a heavier yield, and what is equally 

 important, a crop of more regular size and shape, and therefore a 

 much larger proportion of marketable potatoes. In potato-growing 

 the quantity of saleable tubers is the hrst consideration. It is not 

 excess in number so much as heavy weight that is deemed a profit- 

 able crop. If, therefore, the whole seed produces a better scaling 

 crop without perceptibly reducing the number, the believers in 

 this method have a strong case. And there is good ground for 

 believing that in making such claims they do not overstate the facts. 

 They adopt and advocate the planting of whole seed, because 

 experience has proved to their satisfaction that that is, in the long 

 run, the more profitable system. Testimony to the advantages of 

 this met liod is also furnished by the fact that it is gradually extending 

 the ranks of its already numerous followers. Further striking 

 evidence of the utility of the practice is supplied in the favourable 

 opinion entertained of it by the more extensive and successful 

 growers, notably such as aim especially at producing high-cla<s 

 samples for the seed potato market. It is with this cla-s 

 of growers that the whole seed method finds its chief support. 

 It may be observed that it is not recommended that the largest 

 sized potatoes should be used for seed. The medium si/ed 

 are preferred as being equally efficacious, while more economical. 

 Very small potatoes should on no account be used for seed. Seed 

 potatoes are better to have only a moderate number of eyes. The 

 buds are more likely to be strong and vigorous in growth when this 

 is the case. Although the greater proportion of the most skilled 

 potato-growers advise the use of medium-si/ed whole seed, and the 

 method is increasing in popularity, the plan of cutting tubers still 

 enjoys widespread favor. The chief advantage of this more laborious 





